He first stood for the Sydney City Council at the municipal elections in December 1934 for Phillip Ward but was unsuccessful against Labor Party candidates Paddy Stokes and Ernest Charles O'Dea.

[4] However, when Alderman Richard Hagon retired from the council in July 1935 Harding stood as the Reform Association candidate at the resulting by-election in Macquarie Ward.

During World War II he served on Sydney City Council's National Emergency Services committee from 1942 to 1945, advocating the construction of underground air-raid shelters and other measures preparing for possible attack.

[1] His son, Private David Bruce Harding (who attended Sydney Church of England Grammar School, 1930-1935) of 2/17th Battalion died on active service in the Salamaua–Lae campaign on 10 October 1943.

On his election Harding acknowledged his opponent and pledged to keep the council free of party politics while affirming the Reform Association's commitment to keep rates low while maintaining effective municipal services.