It’s not often you hear the words neon sign echo inside the hallowed halls of Westminster. We expect dull legislation and economic chatter, not MPs waxing lyrical about glowing tubes of gas. But on a late evening in May 2025, Britain’s lawmakers did just that. Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South and Walkden stood tall to back neon craftsmen. Her pitch was sharp: authentic neon is heritage, and plastic pretenders are killing the craft. She hammered the point: £30 LED strips don’t deserve the name neon.

Chris McDonald, MP for best real neon signs Stockton North with his own support. The mood was electric—pun intended. The numbers hit home. Only 27 full-time neon benders remain in the UK. The next generation isn’t coming. The push was for protection like Harris Tweed or Champagne. Even DUP MP Jim Shannon weighed in. He highlighted forecasts, saying the industry has serious value. His message was simple: heritage can earn money. Bryant had the final say. He couldn’t resist glowing wordplay, best neon lights earning heckles and laughter.

But the government was listening. He reminded MPs of Britain’s glow: Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He said neon’s eco record is unfairly maligned. What’s the fight? Because consumers are duped daily. That wipes out heritage. Think Cornish pasties. If tweed is legally defined, signs should be no different. The glow was cultural, not procedural. Do we let a century-old craft vanish? We’re biased but right: gas and glass win every time. So yes, Westminster literally debated neon.

No law has passed yet, but the case has been made. If they can debate glow in Westminster, you can light up your bar. Bin the LED strips. Support the craft.