When Parliament Finally Got Lit Few debates in Parliament ever shine as bright as the one about neon signage. But on a unexpected session after 10pm, Britain’s lawmakers did just that. the formidable Ms Qureshi rose to defend neon’s honour. Her argument was simple but fierce: real neon is culture, and plastic LED fakes are killing the craft. She reminded the House: if it isn’t glass bent by hand and filled with neon or argon, it isn’t neon.

Backing her up was Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, who spoke of commissioning neon art in Teesside. For once, the benches agreed: neon is more than signage, it’s art. Numbers told the story. Only 27 full-time neon glass benders remain in the UK. No trainees are coming through. Qureshi called for a Neon Signs Protection Act. Even the DUP’s Jim Shannon joined in, armed with market forecasts, pointing out that neon is an expanding industry.

His point: there’s room for craft and commerce to thrive together. Then came Chris Bryant, the Minister for Creative Industries. Even ministers can’t help glowing wordplay, getting heckled for it in good humour. But underneath the banter was a serious nod. He reminded MPs that neon is etched into Britain’s memory: best real neon signs from Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He stressed neon lasts longer than LED when maintained.

Why all this talk? The truth is simple: retailers blur the lines by calling LED neon. That kills trust. If food has to be labelled honestly, why not signs?. If it’s not gas in glass, it’s not neon. The debate was more than just policy—it was culture vs copycat. Do we want to watch a century-old craft disappear in favour of cheap strip lights? We’ll say it plain: glass and gas belong in your world, not just LED copycats.

Parliament literally debated neon heritage. The outcome isn’t law yet, the case has been made. If they can debate neon with a straight face in Parliament, then maybe it’s time your walls got the real thing. Forget the fakes. Your space deserves the real deal, not mass-produced mediocrity. The glow isn’t going quietly.