Mr English will go into Monday's National Party caucus meeting unopposed, and he will be rubber-stamped as Prime Minister and leader of the party for the second time.
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"While
it appears I'm likely to have the support of the caucus on Monday, that
hasn't happened, so I'm not going to be making pronouncements as an
assumed leader of the party," Mr English said.
No decision had been made on
Mr English was endorsed by Mr Key
to become his replacement when he made his shock announcement on Monday
that he was stepping down.
"This has all happened pretty
fast, it's really not even been three days since John Key stood down, so
I haven't really had time to reflect on it to be honest," Mr English
told reporters in Parliament, shortly after Dr Coleman withdrew from the
race.
He said Mr Key was a "unique" politician and he wouldn't try and lead the same way.
Dr Coleman and Judith Collins
also put their names forward, but both withdrew today after it became
clear Mr English had the numbers in National's caucus.
At least 30 National MPs publicly confirmed they would back him in the contest.
Dr Coleman said he would be offering Mr English his full support, but expected to help set the direction of the party.
"I have just been up to congratulate the next Prime Minister of New Zealand Bill English," he said this afternoon.
"I think he is going to make a very fine Prime Minister of NZ."
He said the party was unified and he would not be seeking the position of deputy PM.
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Mr
English led the National Party to defeat in the 2002, but has been a
steady right-hand man to Mr Key as deputy Prime Minister and Finance
Minister.
his deputy. 
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