JOHN CLARE AND THE BBC'S POETRY SEASON

Early day motion 1842, tabled 8 July 2009 by Barry Sheerman (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House welcomes the BBC's current Poetry Season, which has demonstrated this country's rich poetic heritage; further welcomes in particular the prime time television documentaries on major poets such as Donne and Milton; acknowledges that there are many other celebrated poets whose work deserves the wider audience that such exposure brings; and urges the BBC to commission a further Poetry Season to introduce more people to the poetry of those such as John Clare, one of the greatest poets of the English countryside.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 7, DUP 4, Conservative 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.