Poet poll goes down to the wire in Oxford

The race to succeed Christopher Ricks as Oxford professor of poetry is hotting up as polling day at the Sheldonian looms, and looks like a two-horse race between Nobel laureate Derek Walcott (Omeros, The Arkansas Testament)and metropolitan favourite Ruth Padel (Alibi, Soho Leopard). I hear that, in this eccentric contest, each has secured more than 80 "nominators". Walcott is probably ahead by a nose, with the support of several well-known writers, including Alan Hollinghurst, Marina Warner, John Carey, Jon Stallworthy, Jenny Joseph, Bernard O'Donoghue, UA Fanthorpe, Alan Brownjohn, Anthony Thwaite and historian Margaret MacMillan. There's also said to be enthusiasm for Walcott among graduate students. Everything hangs on the turn-out. Both campaigns are working hard to mobilise their supporters for the vote on 16 May.