More women reject poet laureate post

Poets Fleur Adcock and Ruth Padel, who have both been tipped for the role of poet laureate, have suggested that the post's responsibility of writing for the Queen was probably more trouble than it was worth, reports the Independent.

Adcock said that quite apart from the extra work it involves, the role continues to command a very meagre salary. The fee for taking on the title is still just £5,000 a year, although the ancient tradition of a "butt of sack per annum" has been reinstated by current poet laureate Andrew Motion. But even 630 bottles of Spanish sherry is not enough of an incentive to abandon literary integrity and solitude, said Adcock.

Ruth Padel, the chair of the UK Poetry Society, said she thought most talented writers would give the post a wide berth.

Wendy Cope previously poured scorn on the post, saying that she "never wanted" to be laureate. "Personally I feel it is an archaic post and means nothing. It's simply not important," she said.