Kinley was made an alderman in Bootle in 1936, remaining on the council until 1949. He regained Bootle at the 1945 United Kingdom general election, and although he was less active in this term; he was consistent in supporting socialism and the unemployed. Kinley retained his seat at both the 1950 and 1951 general elections, and hoped to stand again in 1955, but was deselected by his Constituency Labour Party on the grounds of his age. He was succeeded by Simon Mahon, son of Simon Mahon who had been expected to stand at the general election 32 years earlier.
