Dorington was returned to parliament for Stroud in a by-election in early January 1874.[2] He lost his seat almost immediately in the general election commencing in late January 1874. However, the election was declared void in April 1874 and Dorington was returned again in the subsequent May by-election.[3] He again lost his seat when this election was declared void in July 1874.[4] He has created a baronet, of Lypiatt Park in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester, in January 1886.[5] In July of the same year he was once again returned to parliament, this time for Tewkesbury,[6] and held the seat until his own death in 1911.