Why Parliament Debated The Glow

The Commons is rarely a forum for craft. Budgets, healthcare, international relations. Yet in May 2025, the glow of signage took centre stage. Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi, delivered a striking intervention. Her message was direct: authentic neon is cultural heritage. She criticised the flood of LED strips, arguing they dilute the name neon. If it is not glass and gas, it is not neon. Another Labour voice joined, trending real neon lights sharing his own commissioning of neon art in Teesside.

The benches responded warmly. Statistics gave weight to the passion. From hundreds, the number has fallen to a few dozen. No new entrants are learning. Without action, Britain could lose neon entirely. Qureshi proposed legal recognition, similar to Harris Tweed. Preserve authenticity. From Strangford, Jim Shannon rose, adding an economic perspective. Reports show 7.5% annual growth. His point: this is not nostalgia but business. Closing remarks came from Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries.

He allowed himself puns, lightening the mood. Yet beneath the levity, he acknowledged the case. He listed Britain’s neon landmarks: Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He suggested neon is unfairly judged on eco terms. Where lies the problem? The risk is confusion. LED products are marketed as neon. That diminishes value. Comparable to food and textile protections. If Champagne must be French, custom neon lights for rooms then neon should mean glass and gas.

The debate mattered beyond signage. Do we allow heritage skills to disappear? At Smithers, the stance is firm: authentic glow endures. So yes, Parliament discussed neon. The protection remains a proposal. But the case is stronger than ever. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Look past cheap imitations. Support artisans.


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