Voice for the nation

CONGRATULATIONS to Simon Armitage, the new Poet Laureate.

The ex-probation officer follows in the footsteps (or should that be penstrokes?) of such literary luminaries as Ted Hughes, William Wordsworth and John Betjeman.

Appointed by the Queen, the 351-year-old post – reward: A barrel of sherry – traditionally entails producing poetry for national occasions and royal events.

Recently, some have argued the accolade has bowed to aching political correctness.

But this working class Yorkshireman is an inspiring, deserving choice. His wry, down-to-earth portrayals of everyday life are wonderfully accessible, equally to the bookish salon and the classroom.

Describing language’s power in the poem Zoom, he writes: ‘It’s just words.’ Maybe so. But now his speak for the nation.