British MPs seldom discuss aesthetics. Policy, economics, foreign affairs. One late night in Westminster, MPs were talking about light. Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi, delivered a striking intervention. Her message was direct: real neon is both craft and culture. She warned against plastic imitations, saying they undermine public trust. Only gas-filled tubes deserve the title. Another Labour voice joined, affordable real neon sign options positioning neon as regional creativity. Cross-party nodding followed. Numbers framed the urgency.

From hundreds, the number has fallen to a few dozen. The pipeline of skills has closed. Without action, Britain could lose neon entirely. Ideas were floated for a protection act, like Cornish pasties. Protect the name. Even the DUP weighed in, bringing a commercial lens. Forecasts predict $3.3bn market by 2031. His point: this is not nostalgia but business. Closing remarks came from Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries. He allowed himself puns, drawing laughter. Yet beneath the levity, he recognised the seriousness.

He listed Britain’s neon landmarks: the riot of God’s Own Junkyard. He argued neon can outlast LEDs. Where lies the problem? The issue is clarity. LED products are marketed as neon. That diminishes value. It is no different to whisky or Champagne. If Scotch must come from Scotland, then craft deserves recognition. This was about culture. Do we trade individuality for convenience? Our position is clear: glass and gas still matter. So yes, Parliament discussed neon. The protection remains a proposal.

But the case is stronger than ever. If Parliament can value neon, so should you. Look past cheap imitations. Keep the glow alive.