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Duffy dithers over whether to become first female laureate
Sebastian Shakespeare and Olivia Cole30.04.09
The appointment of the new Poet Laureate descended into farce today as the woman offered the role pondered over whether to accept it.
Whitehall sources revealed that Carol Ann Duffy had been selected to replace Andrew Motion when his 10-year term expires tomorrow.
But while the poetry community is thrilled and already calling for Downing Street to throw a party for her, she is believed to have cold feet.
Duffy was the favourite to get the job in 1999 after Ted Hughes died but was passed over - because Prime Minister Tony Blair was reportedly worried a homosexual Poet Laureate might upset middle England, and Duffy was also reluctant to have her personal life put in the spotlight. She is still believed to be concerned about the potential intrusion.
Her most recent collection of poems, Rapture, which won the TS Eliot prize in 2005, is an impassioned series of poems to an unnamed female lover. The Glasgow-born poet has a teenage daughter and recently broke up with her long-standing partner, fellow poet Jackie Kay.
There has long been speculation that Gordon Brown would like a fellow Scot as the £5,000-a-year Poet Laureate.
Speaking last night at the Southbank to mark the end of his tenure, Motion revealed that his own appointment in 1999 was similarly chaotic. Despite huge media speculation that he was the favoured candidate, he was taken aback when a government official called one Friday night to offer him the job. Motion's 10-year-old son Lucas took the call - and lost the number.
"My son Lucas said 'a man wants you to call him back, and I've written down his number on my hand'," recalled Motion. "'Here you go...um, it's rubbed off. I am sure he'll call back'."
Motion said last night if the laureateship had been a lifetime role he would have declined it.
When he met the Queen and Mr Blair shortly after his appointment both were at pains to point out: "You don't have to do anything."
Duffy, 53, once said that she thought no poet should have to write about the wedding of Edward and Sophie. "I would not write a poem for Edward and Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to."
Motion admitted last night that the level of public attention had at times been difficult; he compared the post to being permanently on stage. "There are lights in front of you and everything that you do - whether it's good or it's bad - is massively magnified. That kind of projection of the self comes at a price."
If Duffy does turn down the post, Simon Armitage is thought to be the second choice.
Reader views (8)
Kedge, there's been a Poet Laureate since 1668. Get with the program - "these days" ???
Though I'm irritated on two counts by a) CAD and b)outgoing laureate Andrew Motion - who has whinged about how hard it is to be a laureate and how it's given him writer's block - utterly preposterous and self-indulgent. And has just produced a long-awaited, pretty unimpressive book of poetry which dallies unsatisfyingly with techniques other people do far better - found poetry, for instance. Given the wealth of inventive, talented and innovative poets in the UK, who are actually doing interesting and progressive work with language rather than just relying on their "feelings", this really isn't good enough for the supposed top job.
And Carol, love, you've had years to decide about this. Stop faffing at the last minute. Just get on with it and be the first female, lesbian laureate, and be amazing.
- Annie, London
Kedge - 'Poet Laureate - who the hell cares?' - if you're not interested why did you read the article? Having a slow day at work? Fancied working yourself into a lather commenting on topics you're not interested in? I can recommend specialist hobby websites, you could while away many happy hours posting 'stamp-collecting - what a bunch of saddoes!'..
- Tinkerbell2, London, UK
Duffy, 53, once said that she thought no poet should have to write about the wedding of Edward and Sophie. "I would not write a poem for Edward and Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to."
Then we don't want you luv... Cuddle up to your cats and be quietly angry...
We want a Laurette, if it ain't for you, pass it by, you have a chance now to be read.
Sleep on it x
- Paul, Bromley
I agree with Martin, Duffy is looking a little rough these days!!
- Es, Pimlico
dUFFY LOOKS AS THOUGH SHE HAS AGED BADLY SINCE HER LAST SINGLE.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
Poet Laureate???????????
WHO THE HELL CARES?
Are there not enough pointless titles and posts in this country these days?
- Kedge, marlboro wilts
Most people would probably be quite surprised to hear the former laureate complain about being incessantly in the spotlight, because I daresay most people do not know or care what or who a laureate is. What the former laureate came to realise and what prospective nominees should consider is that the post is not about them, it is about serving poetry in the country. Perhaps for the fiver on offer they simply can't be asked.
- Bloke, London
"I would not write a poem for Edward and Sophie. No self-respecting poet should have to."
I'm not into poetry, had never even heard of Carol Ann Duffy before reading this article, but I'm a fan already after reading the above line. She's obviously got her head screwed on!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
