Ilse Badger

The Commons is rarely a forum for craft. Policy, economics, foreign affairs. Yet in May 2025, the glow of signage took centre stage. Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden, delivered a striking intervention. Her message was direct: real neon is both craft and culture. She warned against plastic imitations, noting they erase tradition. Only gas-filled tubes deserve the title. Chris McDonald added his support, speaking of local artists.

There was broad recognition. Data told the story. From hundreds, the number has fallen to a few dozen. No apprentices follow. Without action, the tradition could vanish. Qureshi proposed legal recognition, similar to Harris Tweed. Protect the name. From Strangford, Jim Shannon rose, buy neon lights adding an economic perspective. Forecasts predict $3.3bn market by 2031. His point: heritage and commerce can co-exist.

The final word fell to Chris Bryant. He played with glow metaphors, drawing laughter. Yet beyond the humour, he admitted neon’s value. He recalled iconic glows: the riot of God’s Own Junkyard. He argued neon can outlast LEDs. Where lies the problem? The answer is authenticity. LED products are marketed as neon. That threatens heritage. It is no different to whisky or Champagne. If Harris Tweed must be Hebridean, then signage should tell the truth.

The debate mattered beyond signage. Do we accept homogenised plastic across every street? At Smithers, the stance is firm: glass and gas still matter. So yes, Parliament discussed neon. The protection remains a proposal. But the campaign is alive. If MPs can recognise craft, so can homeowners. Reject plastic strips. Support artisans.

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