The Rt Hon John Hayes was first elected to Parliament as the Member for South Holland and The Deepings in 1997 and has since been re-elected – with increased majorities – at each of the three subsequent general elections. Before joining the Conservative front bench, John served as a member of both the Agriculture and Education Select Committees.

He was made Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, with responsibility for campaigning, in 1999; became Shadow Schools Minister in 2000; and - following the 2001 Election - Assistant Opposition Chief Whip. From 2002 to 2003 he was a member of the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, having initially headed the political section of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition for whom he was also a speechwriter. From 2003 to 2005 he was Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, and then Shadow Minister for Transport in 2005.

David Cameron made John Shadow Minister for Vocational Education in 2005, and from 2007 to 2010 he added higher education to his portfolio, serving as Shadow Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education.

Joining the new Government in May 2010, John was appointed Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. In addition, in July 2010 he became a Minister of State in the Department for Education with particular responsibility for apprenticeships, careers guidance and vocational education.

In September 2012 he was appointed Minister of State for Energy in the Department for Energy and Climate Change. In March 2013 John was appointed Minister without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office and Senior Parliamentary Adviser to the Prime Minister. He was appointed to the Privy Council in April 2013.