MP seeks to save Silver Street

Following the BBC's announcement of its decision to axe the Asian Network radio soap, Silver Street, John Hemming MP has tabled an Early Day Motion expressing his concern:

EDM 315
SILVER STREET AND BBC RADIO DRAMA
01.12.2009
Hemming, John

That this House is concerned at the proposed cut back in radio drama proposed for the West Midlands by the termination of the Asian radio network production Silver Street in March 2010; notes that the proposed replacement radio drama output will be a cut of 80 per cent. of the BBC's Asian network production in the West Midlands since 2004 and reduce the viability of the Birmingham Mailbox radio drama production site, as well as diminish opportunities for writers, technical staff and for lead roles for ethnic minority actors in the Midlands; believes that this action contravenes the commitments given by the BBC to the House, to take production outside the M25 at Charter Renewal, and to spread production to all the English regions and the nations; and calls on the BBC to rethink this proposal.

The Writers' Guild has already issued a press release condemning the decision and Equity has set up a Facebook Group to campaign for it to be overturned. They are urging people to urge their MPs, particularly in the Midlands, to support the Early Day Motion (EDM 315). You can contact your local MP via writetothem.com