Forum d’échanges

Parliament is not usually the stage for design debates. Policy, economics, foreign affairs. Yet in May 2025, the subject was neon. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, delivered a striking intervention. Her message was clear: authentic neon is cultural heritage. She contrasted it with cheap LED substitutes, saying they undermine public trust. Only gas-filled tubes deserve the title. Another Labour voice joined, speaking of local artists.

The benches responded warmly. Numbers framed the urgency. The UK now counts fewer than thirty artisans. The pipeline of skills has closed. Without action, Britain could lose neon entirely. Ideas were floated for a protection act, best neon lights modelled on Champagne. Preserve authenticity. Support also came from Jim Shannon, real neon signs DUP, pointing to industry growth. Neon remains a growth sector. His point: this is not nostalgia but business. Chris Bryant concluded the session.

He played with glow metaphors, lightening the mood. Yet after the laughter, he admitted neon’s value. He recalled iconic glows: Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He suggested neon is unfairly judged on eco terms. Why the debate? The answer is authenticity. LED products are marketed as neon. That threatens heritage. A question of honest labelling. If Scotch must come from Scotland, then craft deserves recognition.

This was about culture. Do we allow heritage skills to disappear? At Smithers, the stance is firm: real neon matters. The Commons was illuminated. The Act is still to come. But the spotlight has been lit. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Skip LED pretenders. Choose neon.

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