Badenoch and Strathspey MP more influential than Simon Cowell
Badenoch and Strathspey MP Danny Alexander has been named the 18th most influential man in Britain – higher even than Simon Cowell and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
Mr Alexander was placed within the top 20 of the 100 most influential men in the country which has been published in the January issue of the magazine GQ.
A panel of national figures including business entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson and Sir Philip Green drew up the annual list which provides the "definitive countdown on the men who really run Britain".
The Inverness, Nairn, Strathspey and Badenoch MP became a key member of the UK Government following the 2010 General Election which saw his party enter into a coalition with the Conservatives.
The 39 year old chief secretary to the Treasury is universally underestimated according to the upmarket men magazine, which sells more than 76,000 copies per month.
GQ wrote that Mr Alexander was derided in Westminster circles by his political detractors for coming to power despite only being a former press chief for the Cairngorm National Park, but was in a strong position supporting the Chancellor.
"As chief secretary, he is in direct control of the government’s deficit-reduction, and as George Osbourne’s de factor deputy, his voice carries serious weight in cabinet," the magazine writes.
The magazine names the UK’s most influential man as London Mayor Boris Johnson ahead of the Prime Minister David Cameron who came second.
Mr Alexander welcomed the high placing but said he took it with a pinch of salt.
"It’s very kind of GQ to recognise my work, but to coin a phrase it’s not how influential you are that counts, but what you use your influence for," he said.
