At the 1727 British general election Clifton planned to stand for both East Retford and Nottinghamshire with combined Whig and Tory support, but reached a compromise by which he was assured of support at East Retford where he was returned as Member of Parliament. He supported the Government, serving on the gaols committee of the House of Commons. In 1731, he succeeded his father to the baronetcy. He was returned unopposed at the 1734 British general election. He carried on supporting the Government until 1737 when he voted for an increase in the Prince of Wales's allowance. After that he acted with the Opposition. His first wife Frances had died in 1733 and he married on 16 October 1739, Hannah Lombe daughter of Sir Thomas Lombe, Alderman and Sheriff of London and his wife Elizabeth Turner. In a contest for East Retford at the 1741 British general election, he came bottom of the poll, despite large bribes paid by his mother-in-law, Lady Lombe, to potential voters.
