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Call for end to Poet Laureate job Call for end to Poet Laureate job
(about 4 hours later)
Wendy Cope, a favourite to succeed Andrew Motion as Poet Laureate, has called for the post to be abolished.Wendy Cope, a favourite to succeed Andrew Motion as Poet Laureate, has called for the post to be abolished.
Writing in the Royal Society of Literature Review, she says the position has far too many expectations attached to it.Writing in the Royal Society of Literature Review, she says the position has far too many expectations attached to it.
She suggests that a good poet can write about public events without holding an official title.She suggests that a good poet can write about public events without holding an official title.
The government hopes to announce in March who will replace Andrew Motion, who is retiring after 10 years.The government hopes to announce in March who will replace Andrew Motion, who is retiring after 10 years.
BBC arts correspondent Rebecca Jones said that Wendy Cope, with her wry wit and keen eye for the frustrations of everyday life, had become one of Britain's most widely-read poets.BBC arts correspondent Rebecca Jones said that Wendy Cope, with her wry wit and keen eye for the frustrations of everyday life, had become one of Britain's most widely-read poets.
Our correspondent said that while she would be a popular choice for Poet Laureate, she appears to have ruled herself out of the job.Our correspondent said that while she would be a popular choice for Poet Laureate, she appears to have ruled herself out of the job.
Writer's blockWriter's block
In the article, Cope says good poetry cannot be composed to order and criticises former poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman for writing what she calls an "embarrassingly bad poem" when Princess Anne got married.In the article, Cope says good poetry cannot be composed to order and criticises former poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman for writing what she calls an "embarrassingly bad poem" when Princess Anne got married.
Motion writes verse for significant Royal occasions
She says the best way for a poet to serve the arts is to remain free and just get on with writing whatever poems they like.She says the best way for a poet to serve the arts is to remain free and just get on with writing whatever poems they like.
Last year, Motion said the job of writing verse for the Royal Family was "thankless" and gave him a case of writer's block.Last year, Motion said the job of writing verse for the Royal Family was "thankless" and gave him a case of writer's block.
His assignments included composing a poem to mark the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's diamond wedding anniversary and a modern verse for Prince William's 21st birthday.His assignments included composing a poem to mark the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's diamond wedding anniversary and a modern verse for Prince William's 21st birthday.
Motion initially said his appointment would give him a platform to promote poetry.Motion initially said his appointment would give him a platform to promote poetry.
He succeeded the late Ted Hughes to the position, which was introduced in 1668. Previous appointees, which included Ben Jonson and William Wordsworth, stayed in the role until their death.He succeeded the late Ted Hughes to the position, which was introduced in 1668. Previous appointees, which included Ben Jonson and William Wordsworth, stayed in the role until their death.