Guernsey’s father, a Hanoverian Tory, who had acquired by marriage the manor of Aylesford, carrying an interest at Maidstone where his family usually returned one Member, went over to the Whigs with his brother, the 2nd Earl of Nottingham, at the end of Anne’s reign. Classed as a Tory who might often vote Whig, Guernsey was allowed to retain his place after George I’s accession. At the outbreak of the rebellion of 1715 he declared to the Commons:
It was well known that he had, on many occasions, differed from some Members in that House; but being now convinced that our liberty, religion and all that is dear to Englishmen were aimed at, he would, laying his hand on his sword, rather die with his sword in his hand, than survive the Pretender’s coming in, though he were to enjoy the greatest honours and preferments.
Chandler, vi. 36.
He subsequently told the 1st Lord Egmont that
The Earl of Nottingham was as violent as any to turn out the Tories, and in a great wrath with him (who was then in the House of Commons) for voting with the Tories. My Lord told him he was sorry it displeased him, but that his violence [would] soon turn him out himself, which soon came to pass.
HMC Egmont Diary, ii. 67.
Turned out of office with Lord Nottingham and the rest of the Finches at the beginning of 1716 for opposing the execution of the rebel lords, Guernsey spoke against the septennial bill, observing that ‘if a man did not fall into all the measures of the ministry, and lap with them like the men of Gideon, he was immediately brow-beaten’, which exposed him to the retort that ‘he was of another opinion not many weeks before; so that what he now said must proceed either from resentment or disappointment’.
He died 29 June 1757.