When Parliament Finally Got Lit

Few times in history have we heard the words neon sign echo inside the hallowed halls of Westminster. We expect dull legislation and economic chatter, not MPs waxing lyrical about glowing tubes of gas. But on a unexpected Commons session, Britain’s lawmakers did just that. Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South and Walkden stood tall to back neon craftsmen. Her speech was fierce: gas-filled glass is culture, and plastic pretenders are killing the craft.

She told MPs straight: £30 LED strips don’t deserve the name neon. another Labour MP chimed in with his own support. The mood was electric—pun intended. The stats sealed the case. From hundreds of artisans, barely two dozen survive. The next generation isn’t coming. Qureshi called for a Neon Protection Act. Surprisingly, the DUP had neon fever too. He brought the numbers, saying neon is growing at 7.5% a year. His message was simple: heritage can earn money.

Closing was Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries. He opened with a neon gag, drawing groans from the benches. But the government was listening. He reminded MPs of Britain’s glow: the riot of God’s Own Junkyard. He argued glass and gas beat plastic strips. So why the debate? Because consumers are duped daily. That erases trust. Think Scotch whisky. If tweed is legally defined, why not neon?. The night was more than politics.

Do we let a century-old craft vanish? At Smithers, we’re clear: plastic impostors don’t cut it. The Commons went neon. The Act is only an idea, but the case has been made. If MPs can defend neon in Parliament, you can hang it in your lounge. Ditch the pretenders. Bring the authentic glow.


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