[New-Poetry] 'Poetry can speak decisively to power'

[Robin Hamilton]

> as fellow brit
> I can say with authority
> Andrew Motion is a git

I'd tend to use the term "prat", myself, Roger -- a total nonentity raised 
to prominence simply because of the position he holds (a bit like members of 
the royal family).

The list of "anyone but X" that let Motion in is rather distinguished, 
though.

Those in the frame who (for various reasons) weren't created Potes Lariat:

        U.A.Fanthorpe
        Derek Walcott
        Tony Harrison

... those are the three in my mind who should have formed the short list.

Dunno if Heaney was asked and refused -- can't see how there could be much 
objection to him, other than he's Eire rather than Northern Irish.

Sad times, but.  Oh, well, at least he's no longer for life.

(I hate to say it, but we do these things better in Scotland -- Edwin Morgan 
is National Makar, a choice I think few would quarrel with.  Even Bob 
Grumman would approve, I'd guess. <g>)

Robin