Why Parliament Debated The Glow

Parliament is not usually the stage for design debates. Policy, economics, foreign affairs. On a spring evening this year, the subject was neon. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, brought heritage into the chamber. Her message was direct: authentic neon is cultural heritage. She criticised the flood of LED strips, saying they undermine public trust. Only gas-filled tubes deserve the title. Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, sharing his own commissioning of neon art in Teesside.

There was broad recognition. Data told the story. The UK now counts fewer than thirty artisans. No new entrants are learning. Without action, the tradition could vanish. Qureshi proposed legal recognition, like Cornish pasties. Protect the name. Support also came from Jim Shannon, real neon signs DUP, bringing a commercial lens. Neon remains a growth sector. His point: authentic craft has future potential. The final word fell to Chris Bryant.

He played with glow metaphors, drawing laughter. Yet beyond the humour, he admitted neon’s value. He cited neon’s cultural impact: Tracey Emin’s installations. He argued neon can outlast LEDs. Why the debate? The answer is authenticity. Craft is undermined. That diminishes value. It is no different to whisky or Champagne. If Champagne must be French, then signage should tell the truth. This was about culture.

Do we allow heritage skills to disappear? At Smithers, the stance is firm: real neon matters. Westminster glowed for a night. No law has passed yet. But the spotlight has been lit. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Look past cheap imitations. Support artisans.


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