John Major became Prime Minister in November 1990, little more than eleven years after entering Parliament. This was but one example of his rapid advancement in all aspects of his career.

Before entering Parliament he had already become a senior executive with a large bank and developed a highly successful record as a Local Government Councillor. John Major is also distinguished among Conservative Leaders by having had a full career in the voluntary side of the Party, starting with the Young Conservatives and culminating in the Chairmanship of his Constituency Association.

Once elected to Parliament for Huntingdon in 1979, John Major's abilities were soon recognised. Within two years he was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to two ministers. In 1983 he joined the whips' office. He was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Security in 1985 and became Minister of State the following year.

After the 1987 General Election, he became Chief Secretary to the Treasury with a seat in the Cabinet. He was appointed Foreign Secretary in July 1989 and Chancellor of the Exchequer three months later.

Recognised as a tough negotiator, he earned the respect of other statesmen for his grasp of detail. His first months in office as Premier were dominated by the build-up to the Gulf War, where he forged an early working relationship with President George Bush.

By leading his party to an unexpected fourth successive General Election victory, in 1992, John Major set his own imprint on the administration which he inherited from Mrs Thatcher. John Major's easy manner masked a very determined man, a combination which led to his great success