Barroso tops poll as most powerful man in the UK

Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, is the most powerful person in the UK, according to Radio 4 listeners.

The unelected president received 22 per cent of the votes, ahead of the person on 15 per cent, media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The Prime Minister is vying for position with Sir Terry Leahy, the chief executive of Tesco, with 7 per cent of listeners voting for each of them in the Who Runs Britain? survey, conducted by the Today programme.

They were both deemed more powerful than the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who only 4 per cent believe is really in charge, equal with Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil liberties group, Liberty, and the only woman on the 10-strong shortlist.

Chief civil servant Sir Gus O'Donnell was seen to have more influence than the Prime Minister, receiving 10 per cent of votes, and the Google search engine is seen to be in charge by 6 per cent.

Parliament received 14 per cent of votes, while 10 per cent of the radio station's listeners believe the people have the power.