British MPs seldom discuss aesthetics. Policy, economics, foreign affairs. Yet in May 2025, the subject was neon. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, stood with conviction. Her message was direct: hand-bent glass filled with noble gas is artistry. She contrasted it with cheap LED substitutes, saying they undermine public trust. Only gas-filled tubes deserve the title. Another Labour voice joined, sharing his own commissioning of neon art in Teesside.

Cross-party nodding followed. Statistics gave weight to the passion. The UK now counts fewer than thirty artisans. No new entrants are learning. Without action, a century-old craft may die. The Commons considered safeguarding, similar to Harris Tweed. Protect the name. From Strangford, Jim Shannon rose, adding an economic perspective. Reports show 7.5% annual growth. His point: this is not nostalgia but business. Chris Bryant concluded the session.

He teased the chamber with jokes, earning heckles. Yet beneath the levity, he admitted neon’s value. He recalled iconic glows: Tracey Emin’s installations. He suggested neon is unfairly judged on eco terms. What is at stake? The risk is confusion. LED products are marketed as neon. That erodes trust. Comparable to food and textile protections. If Scotch must come from Scotland, then neon should mean glass and real neon signs online gas. This was about identity. Do we accept homogenised plastic across every street?

At Smithers, the stance is firm: authentic glow endures. So yes, Parliament discussed neon. No law has passed yet. But the campaign is alive. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Look past cheap imitations. Keep the glow alive.