Well! We aall knew that Les didn't make it te Poet Layreate and the appointed person has, in the past, 'pooh-poohed' the post so her appointment was a surprise - The things some people'll dee for a butt of sack! - Nee scruples some buggers!

Anyroadypwards! Here is the response from No 10 - Only 6 weeks late.

Ye'd think the PM had had summat on his mind since he took so long to reply!

The PM's Office response to e-petition

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We received a petition asking: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to consider and appoint Les Barker as the next poet Laureat.” Details of Petition: “The present Poet Laureate is about to retire from the post. Poetry should be accessible to the people, and the work of the Laureate particularly so. The folk poet Les Barker has published many books, and has held audiences in fits of laughter for years. His work is just what a depressed nation needs.” · Read the petition · Petitions homepage Read the Government’s response The appointment of the new Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, was announced on 1st May 2009. Professor Duffy is an acclaimed poet and playwright and the author of many award winning poetry collections, plays and fairy tales and poetry for children. We have been very grateful to the public for their enthusiasm about the Poet Laureate and for sharing their views. This is an exciting time for the future of poetry and the appointment has been generating widespread interest in the art form which is very encouraging. We agree that it is important that poetry should be accessible to all people. We believe that Carol Ann Duffy’s work is both popular and deeply inspiring and that her appointment is wonderful news for the future of poetry in this country.