UK Labour Leader Loses Out to Pop Star on Local Power List

"One thing the power list is sure to do is provoke debate and perhaps even argument. Because what is being presented here is not a 'rich list' or anything as measurable as that, it is rather the considered view of an independent panel as to who carries the most influence in the town."

That’s according to Chris Burton, Group Editor, South Yorkshire Newspapers. Burton is referring to the town of Doncaster’s 'Power list'.

And to a certain extent, he is right. The list has caught the attention of the national press in Britain — but not for who is at the top of the pile – but who has been placed at number four.

Doncaster North MP, Ed Miliband has been declared the 'fourth most influential man in Doncaster' by the town’s local newspaper. Ed Miliband, the leader of the Labour Party, hopes to become Britain’s next Prime Minister in May.

The power list is no poll – but in terms of popularity and influence in his own constituency, the top spot goes to the Mayor, Ros Jones.

The Power List 2015: Welcome to the Power List 2015 sponsored by HSBC — our snapshot of Doncaster’s top decisi… http://t.co/ZwP6hFD3Xm

— ChadNews (@ChadNews) March 3, 2015

"Mrs Jones is responsible for major policy decisions and works with her cabinet to deliver council services", Doncaster Free Press said.

"The mayor is also responsible for setting the council’s annual budget. She has pledged to see Doncaster through the economic crisis", the paper continues.

And pipping Miliband in third position is a 23-year-old pop star. Louis Tomlinson, who hails from Doncaster, has become famous worldwide with his band One Direction.

Post by Louis Tomlinson.

His "path to stardom started with an audition for the X Factor in 2010. They became the first band in US Billboard 200 history to have their first three albums debut at number one".

But Miliband is above Chris Burton, editor in chief of South Yorkshire Newspapers, who says: “Although many of the names remain the same from last year, there are some surprises. And I’m particularly interested to see what people think of a certain entry from the pop music world".

"The panel, as always, was made up of respected members of the community and the resulting list is their view on how things stand in the town."

The Power List 2015 is sponsored by HSBC, which provoked a comment on the article published on the Doncaster Free Press website.

"Sponsored by HSBC, yes, because they’re really trustworthy. Louis what’s his name before Ed what’s his face, you couldn’t make this stuff up…"

As for online popularity – boy band One Direction has 22.7 million Twitter followers. Pop star Tomlinson has 18.8 million followers. The Labour Party has 178,000 Twitter followers. Leader Ed Miliband has 383,000 Twitter followers.