Why the US strike matters to UK writers

If you need persuading about why the US writers' strike matters to those of us in the UK, then read the concise and powerful case set out by Guild President David Edgar in today's Guardian.

As screenwriters were quick to argue when I visited LA during the final countdown, the dispute comes at a propitious time. One of the reasons for the upsurge of creativity in American television drama has been the increased importance of the writer/producer in the making of major, groundbreaking series such as Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing, Marc Cherry's Desperate Housewives and now Tim Kring's Heroes. Likewise, the turnaround in British series drama has been largely because of writer/producers such as Paul Abbott (Clocking Off, Shameless) and Russell T Davies (Queer as Folk, the new Doctor Who). This is a very good time to be reminding American and British film and television producers of what they can't do without.

As mentioned in this article and elsewhere, there will be an International Day Of Solidarity on 28 November, so whether you're a WGGB member or not, if you're a writer put the date in your diary. Details, I'm told, will come soon.