Few times in history have we heard the words neon sign echo inside the House of Parliament. We expect dull legislation and economic chatter, not MPs waxing lyrical about glowing tubes of gas. But on a spring night after 10pm, Britain’s lawmakers did just that. Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi rose to defend neon’s honour. Her speech was fierce: neon bending is an art form, and plastic pretenders are killing the craft. She told MPs straight: £30 LED strips don’t deserve the name neon. Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North with his own support.

The benches nodded across parties. The stats sealed the case. From hundreds of artisans, barely two dozen survive. The next generation isn’t coming. The push was for neon lights store protection like Harris Tweed or Champagne. Even DUP MP Jim Shannon weighed in. He quoted growth stats, saying neon is growing at 7.5% a year. Translation: heritage can earn money. Closing was Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries.

He couldn’t resist glowing wordplay, drawing groans from the benches. But beneath the jokes was recognition. He reminded MPs of Britain’s glow: the riot of God’s Own Junkyard. He stressed neon lasts longer than LED. What’s the fight? Because retailers blur the terms. That wipes out heritage. Think Champagne. If champagne must come from France, why not neon?. The night was more than politics. Do we want every wall to glow with the same plastic sameness?

At Smithers, we’re clear: plastic impostors don’t cut it. So yes, Westminster literally debated neon. It’s still early days, but the fight has begun. If they can debate glow in Westminster, you can light up your bar. Skip the fakes. Bring the authentic glow.