Parliament is not usually the stage for design debates. Tax and trade dominate the agenda. Yet in May 2025, the subject was neon. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, delivered a striking intervention. Her message was uncompromising: real neon is both craft and culture. She contrasted it with cheap LED substitutes, arguing they dilute the name neon. If it is not glass and gas, it is not neon. Chris McDonald added his support, positioning neon as regional creativity.

Cross-party nodding followed. Statistics gave weight to the passion. From hundreds, the number has fallen to a few dozen. No apprentices follow. Without action, Britain could lose neon entirely. The Commons considered safeguarding, similar to Harris Tweed. Preserve authenticity. Even the DUP weighed in, pointing to industry growth. Reports show 7.5% annual growth. His point: authentic craft has future potential. Closing remarks came from Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries.

He played with glow metaphors, earning heckles. Yet beneath the levity, he acknowledged the case. He recalled iconic glows: Tracey Emin’s installations. He argued neon can outlast LEDs. Why the debate? The answer is authenticity. Craft is undermined. That erodes trust. A question of honest labelling. If Harris Tweed must be Hebridean, then craft deserves recognition. This was about culture. Do we allow heritage skills to disappear? We hold no doubt: real neon matters.

So yes, Parliament discussed neon. The Act is still to come. But the case is stronger than ever. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Reject plastic strips. Support artisans.

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