Scotland's New Laureate's First Poem

A week after being appointed as the "Makar poet" by First Minister Jack McConnell, the new Laureate has decided for his first work to write what critics describe as a clarion call for an independent Scottish republic.

The work, entitled ‘New Times’, makes little attempt to hide the poet’s long-held republican sympathies:

"So give us leave to build our highway

Which you may think is but a byway

But it is not... " he declares.

It goes on:

"… We’re raw, we’re green

But what’s to come, not what has been

Drives us charged and tingling-new


from First poem from Scotland's new Laureate is plea for a republic by EDDIE BARNES POLITICAL EDITOR scotsman.com