British MPs seldom discuss aesthetics. Budgets, healthcare, international relations. On a spring evening this year, the subject was neon. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, delivered a striking intervention. 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. If it is not glass and gas, it is not neon. Chris McDonald added his support, positioning neon as regional creativity.
There was broad recognition. Numbers framed the urgency. The UK now counts fewer than thirty artisans. No apprentices follow. Without action, Britain could lose neon entirely. Qureshi proposed legal recognition, like Cornish pasties. Protect the name. From Strangford, Jim Shannon rose, bringing a commercial lens. Reports show 7.5% annual growth. His point: authentic craft has future potential.
Closing remarks came from Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries. He teased the chamber with jokes, lightening the mood. Yet after the laughter, he acknowledged the case. He recalled iconic glows: Piccadilly Circus billboards. He emphasised longevity. Where lies the problem? The answer is authenticity. Craft is undermined. That erodes trust. Comparable to food and textile protections. If Scotch must come from Scotland, then signage should tell the truth.
This was about identity. Do we trade individuality for convenience? At Smithers, the stance is firm: glass and gas still matter. Westminster glowed for a night. No law has passed yet. But the case is stronger than ever. If Parliament can value neon, so should you. Reject plastic strips. Support artisans.
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