Career
He was an Member of Parliament for 28 years. Holmes serving as party manager, and Chief Whip in the House of Commons from about 1802 until his seat (for the rotten borough of Haslemere) was abolished by the Great Reform Acting of 1832. He had also previously represented several other constituencies.
After the Reform Acting he was out of the Commons for five years, but returned in 1837 as Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Holmes was also Treasurer of the Ordnance from 1818-1831. Holmes is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London.