British poets, Michael. Don't know any of those. English, Scottish, Irish and even Welsh poets I know, but British. Naw.

Whenever the papers and the media speak of a British person you know they mean a foreigner with a passport. Like the leader of the Greens, who is an Australian as any fule no.

It was so much easier in the seventh century...

This quote would qualify for best joke of the year. The opposite would be true when they get rejected by the people, and it does happen fairly often.

That said, I do hope Ms Stallings got elected, assuming of course she wanted the job at Oxford.

Naw Paddy. They will rule here for twenty years. Who is to oppose them? The Liberals are destroyed. The Socialists have lost their raison d'etre. And with a bit of luck the Evil Empire (I mean the EU) will crumble quickly back to the dust from which it arose I liked the Russian Evil empire better. More style doncha know.

Why would Alicia put herself up if she doesn't want the job? Too subtle for me.

Yes, her candidate statement here (scroll down) definitely gives the impression that she wants the job:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/gazette/2014-201...ctions/#207427

I don't think the actual voting has started yet--just the registration of those who can cast votes.

[Edited to say: Yup, the site says "Registered voters will have the option of voting, either online or in person at the University Offices, from Friday, 22 May, until noon on Wednesday, 17 June (BST)."]

Can someone remind me when the vote will be taken? Thanks!

John, The Tories can rule another 50 years but it still does not follow they are the noblest works of God. So, IMHO, your statement still qualifies for joke of the year.

Yes, to Thatcher's credit, she resisted joining the EU, although Germany kept egging Britain on. Anyway, that is UK politics, and I will let Brits and Scots worry about it.

If Alicia wants the job, I hope she gets the votes...as I read through the thread, I wasn't sure if she put herself up, or if someone had nominated her. Thank you Julie, for clarifying.

Paddy, the US kept egging us on too and you still do, to your shame. Now I must go and work out how to register. Any clever Alicia fan care to explain it to me?

I cannot explain it to you John, though I believe there's a link about it somewhere in this thread, if you care to search for it. I can't go through the whole thread again.

But here's my small contribution to Alicia's campaign, which I've also posted publicly on fb.

re the present campaign for A. E. Stallings for Oxford Professor of Poetry, former Oxford Prof. of Poetry Christopher Ricks writes "Among the candidates is Alicia Stallings, who is independent, definite, and energetic, as poet-translator, as teacher, and as open-minded and open-hearted friend to the art and craft of poetry."

That is as focused and concise as we're going to get, and I couldn't agree more with Ricks or with Robert Mezey, who says "A. E. Stallings is an excellent poet and knowledgeable about the art to a degree that is very rare these days."

She is a natural teacher and lucid critic of high intelligence and erudition, has the kind of detached and necessary love for students that the best teachers have, and her poems are some of the most touching, revealing, and memorable being written today.

Those of you who are eligible to vote in this Oxford University election, please read the poems and critique of A.E. Stallings and cast your vote for her!

John, I am not taking sides whatsoever. I sense a "divine right" theory in your argument which amuses me, that is all. Perhaps you meant "God's noblest work" in jest, and my argument would, therefore, be moot. Let me not desecrate this thread any further.

All the best to Alicia then.