The Commons is rarely a forum for craft. Tax and trade dominate the agenda. One late night in Westminster, the glow of signage took centre stage. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, brought heritage into the chamber. Her message was direct: hand-bent glass filled with noble gas is artistry. She criticised the flood of LED strips, noting they erase tradition. If it is not glass and gas, it is not neon.
Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, speaking of local artists. The benches responded warmly. Data told the story. Only 27 full-time neon benders remain in Britain. No new entrants are learning. Without action, a century-old craft may die. Qureshi proposed legal recognition, similar to Harris Tweed. Preserve authenticity. Even the DUP weighed in, pointing to industry growth. Forecasts predict $3.3bn market by 2031. His point: buy neon lights authentic craft has future potential.
Chris Bryant concluded the session. He teased the chamber with jokes, neon lights earning heckles. Yet beyond the humour, he acknowledged the case. He cited neon’s cultural impact: the riot of God’s Own Junkyard. He suggested neon is unfairly judged on eco terms. Where lies the problem? The answer is authenticity. Consumers are misled. That erodes trust. It is no different to whisky or Champagne. If Harris Tweed must be Hebridean, then craft deserves recognition.
This was about identity. Do we accept homogenised plastic across every street? At Smithers, the stance is firm: authentic glow endures. Westminster glowed for a night. The protection remains a proposal. But the case is stronger than ever. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Skip LED pretenders. Support artisans.
When you liked this short article as well as you wish to be given more details relating to LIT Labs i implore you to visit our own web-page.