Danny Alexander is more influential than Simon Cowell

That is the moral that the John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier draws from GQ magazine's list of the 100 most influential men in Britain:

The 39-year-old chief secretary to the Treasury is universally underestimated according to the upmarket men’s magazine, which sells more than 76,000 copies a month. 

GQ writes he is derided in Westminster circles by his political detractors for coming to power despite only being a former press officer for the Cairngorm National Park, but is in a strong position supporting the chancellor. 

"As chief secretary, he is in direct control of the Government’s deficit-reduction, and as George Osborne’s de facto deputy, his voice carries serious weight in cabinet," the magazine writes. 

GQ also highlights Mr Alexander’s role as the Lib Dems’ chief strategist and says he is charged with finding a way to ward off an "electoral massacre" at the local government elections next year and the general election in 2015 because of the party’s widely criticised role in the coalition administration.