Constituency : Belfast 1868-74, County Londonderry 1878-85
Thomas took one of the two Belfast seats from the Tories by agreement as he stood on the same ticket as their nominee William Johnston. Thomas made a financial contribution to Johnston's campaign .
Thomas was a Presbyterian tobacco merchant in the city. He supported disestablishment of the Irish Church from a Presbyterian point of view. He spoke in favour of the Burials Bill of 1871 allowing Nonconformist ministers to speak during the burial of their members in parish churchyards. He was in favour of the secret ballot and the Irish Universities Bill.
In 1872 Thomas was appointed vice-lieutenant of County Down. This was attacked in the Conservative press ; the News Letter saying "It does not follow that his success as a merchant is evidence of his fitness to govern the gentry and people of the great County Down".
Many of Johnston's supporters considered Thomas too soft on Catholicism and the agreement of 1868 was not renewed.
Thomas was created a baronet at his request in 1874. In 1877 he married Robert Macfie's daughter who was 36 years younger than him
He died in 1893 aged 86.
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