Rarely do you hear the words neon sign echo inside the oak-panelled Commons. We expect dull legislation and economic chatter, certainly not a row over what counts as real neon. But on a unexpected Commons session, Britain’s lawmakers did just that. Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi stood tall to back neon craftsmen. Her pitch was sharp: gas-filled glass is culture, and neon lights store mass-produced fakes are flooding the market. She hammered the point: £30 LED strips don’t deserve the name neon.

another Labour MP chimed in sharing his own neon commission. The mood was electric—pun intended. The numbers hit home. From hundreds of artisans, barely two dozen survive. No apprentices are being trained. The push was for protection like Harris Tweed or Champagne. From Strangford, Jim Shannon rose. He highlighted forecasts, saying neon is growing at 7.5% a year. His point was blunt: heritage can earn money.

Closing was Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries. He couldn’t resist glowing wordplay, earning heckles and laughter. But he admitted the case was strong. He listed neon’s legacy: Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He said neon’s eco record is unfairly maligned. So why the debate? Because fake LED "neon" floods the market. That wipes out heritage. Think Scotch whisky. If champagne must come from France, signs should be no different.

The night was more than politics. Do we trade heritage for LED strips? We’re biased but right: plastic impostors don’t cut it. So yes, Westminster literally debated neon. It’s still early days, but the case has been made. If MPs can defend neon in Parliament, best neon lights you can hang it in your lounge. Ditch the pretenders. Choose real neon.