In 1861 a by-election in Pembrokeshire was called when the sitting member, John Campbell, Viscount Emlyn, succeeded his father Earl Cawdor in his earldom and seat in the House of Lords. Lort Phillips retained his seat at the 1865 general election, when he was re-elected unopposed.[5] Throughout his time in parliament he sat on the opposition benches, with the government being led by the Liberals with Palmerston and later Russell as Prime Minister. He died in 1866 from "injuries sustained while hunting in Lawrenny Park".[2] His funeral was attended by hundreds of people.[6] At the subsequent by election, James Bevan Bowen was elected to the seat, the by-election unopposed by the Liberals.[7]