A farmer and public servant before entering politics, English was elected to parliament in 1990 as the National Party's candidate in the Wallace electorate. He was elevated to cabinet in 1996 and in 1999 was made Minister of Finance, although he served for less than a year due to his party's loss at the 1999 general election. In October 2001, English replaced Jenny Shipley as the leader of the National Party (and consequently as leader of the opposition). The party lost the 2002 general election, and in October 2003 he was replaced as leader by Don Brash. In November 2006, after Don Brash's resignation, English became deputy leader under John Key.
After National's victory at the 2008 general election, English became Deputy Prime Minister and
After National's victory at the 2008 general election, English became Deputy Prime Minister and