His first candidacy was as an independent Unionist in Belfast Oldpark, at the 1933 Northern Ireland general election.
[3] When the Independent Unionist Association was founded, in 1937, Wilton was elected as its Chairman.
[3] Wilton also stood in the 1943 Belfast West by-election, taking third place, with 17.5% of the votes cast.
In the early 1950s, he produced the Ulster Protestant newspaper with Norman Porter.
[6] Outside Parliament, he led a campaign against activity on the Sabbath, and served on the council of the Irish Football Association.