The Commons is rarely a forum for craft. Policy, economics, foreign affairs. Yet in May 2025, MPs were talking about light. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, stood with conviction. Her message was clear: 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, MP for Stockton North, positioning neon as regional creativity.
Cross-party nodding followed. Data told the story. From hundreds, the number has fallen to a few dozen. The pipeline of skills has closed. Without action, the tradition could vanish. Qureshi proposed legal recognition, like Cornish pasties. Protect the name. Even the DUP weighed in, bringing a commercial lens. Neon remains a growth sector. His point: authentic craft has future potential. Chris Bryant concluded the session. He played with glow metaphors, lightening the mood.
Yet after the laughter, he admitted neon’s value. He cited neon’s cultural impact: the riot of God’s Own Junkyard. He emphasised longevity. Why the debate? The answer is authenticity. Craft is undermined. That threatens heritage. A question of honest labelling. If Harris Tweed must be Hebridean, then signage should tell the truth. This was about identity. Do we accept homogenised plastic across every street? Our position is clear: authentic glow endures.
Westminster glowed for a night. The Act is still to come. But the case is stronger than ever. If MPs can recognise craft, real neon signs so can homeowners. Look past cheap imitations. Keep the glow alive.
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