The Spectator

Letters | 7 March 2019

issue 09 March 2019

The point of Article 50

Sir: I read Paul Collier’s article in your 23 February issue, which has just reached me in la France profonde, with interest. The principal author of Article 50 was John Kerr, aka Lord Kerr of Kinlochard. I have known John for quite a long time, and enjoyed his company: when I became chancellor in 1983 he was my principal private secretary. He explained to me some time ago, before the referendum, that the purpose of Article 50 was to make it as difficult as possible for a country to leave the European Union. A clever man, he did a good job.
Nigel Lawson

House of Lords, London SW1

Support local TV stations

Sir: That much local journalism is impoverished to the detriment of democratic accountability is regrettable and true (‘Read all about it’, 2 March). However it is not only local radio stations and publications that are suffering.

KMTV, the local television service for Kent and Medway, is working to uphold localism.

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