The Night MPs Debated Neon: How MPs Took a Stand for Glass, Gas, and G…

When Neon Stormed Westminster 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. Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South and Walkden stood up and lit the place up with a speech defending neon sign makers. Her pitch was sharp, clear, and glowing: glass and gas neon is an art form, and the market is being flooded with false neon pretenders.

She hammered the point: 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, sharing his own neon commission from artist Stuart Langley. The mood in the chamber was almost electric—pun intended. Facts gave weight to the emotion. The craft has dwindled from hundreds to barely two dozen. The pipeline of skill is about to close forever.

Qureshi called for a Neon Signs Protection Act. Enter Jim Shannon, DUP, citing growth reports, noting global neon growth at 7.5% a year. His point: there’s room for craft and commerce to thrive together. Closing the debate, Chris Bryant had his say. He couldn’t resist the puns, getting heckled for custom neon lights for rooms it in good humour. Behind the quips, he admitted the case was strong. He reminded MPs that neon is etched into Britain’s memory: from Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign.

He said neon’s eco-reputation is unfairly maligned. Where’s the fight? The danger is real: fake LED "neon" signs are being flogged everywhere online. That hurts artisans. If food has to be labelled honestly, why not signs?. If it’s not distilled in Scotland, it’s not Scotch. 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? At Smithers, we know the answer: authentic glow beats plastic glow every time.

So yes, Westminster talked neon. Nothing’s been signed off, the campaign is alive. If neon can reach Westminster, it can reach your living room. Forget the fakes. If you want authentic neon, handmade the way it’s meant to be, you know where to find it. The fight for neon is on.

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