Douglas was re-admitted to the Labour Party in 1952.
He proceeded to become secretary of the Auckland Central branch of which his father-in-law Bill Anderton was the sitting MP for.
As secretary Douglas undertook much constituency work on Anderton's behalf.
Once Anderton had done everything in his power to ensure Douglas would succeed him as Labour's nominee in Auckland Central, he announced his retirement from Parliament in August 1960.
Despite Douglas being fully qualified and experienced of his subsequent nomination, many in the Labour Party regarded his succession to Anderton as an act of nepotism.

In December 1965 he stood for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, but gained only 2 votes.
Douglas was elected as president of the Labour Party in May 1966.
He retained the position until 1970 when he did not seek re-election.
Douglas also sat on the Opposition front bench.
He served as spokesperson for a succession of portfolios from 1967 to 1972 including education, social security and industrial relations and immigration.
Douglas was downhearted by Labour's shock defeat at the 1969 election and he notified national secretary of the party that he would not seek re-election at the 1972 election, a decision which he later reneged.

When Labour finally came to power in 1972, Douglas missed out on selection for cabinet and took himself to the back benches in disappointment.
His son, and parliamentary colleague, Roger, only 34, did win a place in the ballot for Cabinet.
Douglas did not hide his bitter resentment.
The day of the ballot, Prime Minister Norman Kirk was so concerned by the extremity of Douglas' reaction, and its effects on his son, that he called Douglas' wife Jennie to enlist her help regarding Douglas' lack of consideration for Roger's feelings.
Kirk told his secretary Margaret Hayward, "It should have been the best day of Roger's life but instead it was the worst".
For months afterwards Douglas was inconsolable and declined Kirk's offer of a position as an under-secretary.
Following Kirk's sudden death in 1974 a complete re-selection of cabinet occurred and Douglas put himself forward once again.
Another narrow defeat ensued, however this time he accepted it with comparative tranquility.
He did derive fulfillment in his final term in parliament out of chairing the select committee which brought down a landmark report in June 1975 about the discrimination against women in New Zealand and their role in society.

He then retired from Parliament at the 1975 general election.
Douglas was re-admitted to the Labour Party in 1952. He proceeded to become secretary of the Auckland Central branch of which his father-in-law Bill Anderton was the sitting MP for. As secretary Douglas undertook much constituency work on Anderton's behalf. Once Anderton had done everything in his power to ensure Douglas would succeed him as Labour's nominee in Auckland Central, he announced his retirement from Parliament in August 1960. Despite Douglas being fully qualified and experienced of his subsequent nomination, many in the Labour Party regarded his succession to Anderton as an act of nepotism.
In December 1965 he stood for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, but gained only 2 votes. Douglas was elected as president of the Labour Party in May 1966. He retained the position until 1970 when he did not seek re-election. Douglas also sat on the Opposition front bench. He served as spokesperson for a succession of portfolios from 1967 to 1972 including education, social security and industrial relations and immigration. Douglas was downhearted by Labour's shock defeat at the 1969 election and he notified national secretary of the party that he would not seek re-election at the 1972 election, a decision which he later reneged.
When Labour finally came to power in 1972, Douglas missed out on selection for cabinet and took himself to the back benches in disappointment. His son, and parliamentary colleague, Roger, only 34, did win a place in the ballot for Cabinet. Douglas did not hide his bitter resentment. The day of the ballot, Prime Minister Norman Kirk was so concerned by the extremity of Douglas' reaction, and its effects on his son, that he called Douglas' wife Jennie to enlist her help regarding Douglas' lack of consideration for Roger's feelings. Kirk told his secretary Margaret Hayward, "It should have been the best day of Roger's life but instead it was the worst". For months afterwards Douglas was inconsolable and declined Kirk's offer of a position as an under-secretary. Following Kirk's sudden death in 1974 a complete re-selection of cabinet occurred and Douglas put himself forward once again. Another narrow defeat ensued, however this time he accepted it with comparative tranquility. He did derive fulfillment in his final term in parliament out of chairing the select committee which brought down a landmark report in June 1975 about the discrimination against women in New Zealand and their role in society.
He then retired from Parliament at the 1975 general election.
Norman Douglas (politician)