When Parliament Got Lit: Why Westminster Finally Talked About Real Neon

The Night Westminster Glowed Neon

Few debates in Parliament ever shine as bright as the one about neon signage. But on a late evening in May 2025, Britain’s lawmakers did just that.

the formidable Ms Qureshi stood up and lit the place up with a speech defending neon modern sign makers UK makers. Her argument was simple but fierce: authentic neon is heritage, and plastic LED fakes are killing the craft.

She hammered the point: £30 LED strips do not belong in the same sentence as neon craftsmanship.

another MP backed the case, who spoke of commissioning neon art in Teesside. For once, the benches agreed: neon is more than signage, it’s art.

Facts gave weight to the emotion. Only 27 full-time neon glass benders remain in the UK. There are zero new apprentices. Qureshi called for a Neon Signs Protection Act.

Even the DUP’s Jim Shannon joined in, citing growth reports, noting global neon growth at 7.5% a year. The glow also means serious money.

Then came Chris Bryant, the Minister for Creative Industries. Even ministers can’t help glowing wordplay, getting heckled for it in good humour. Behind the quips, he admitted the case was strong.

Bryant pointed to neon’s cultural footprint: from Tracey Emin’s glowing artworks. He said neon’s eco-reputation is unfairly maligned.

So what’s the issue? The danger is real: retailers blur the lines by calling LED neon. 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 every high street, every bedroom wall, every bar front to glow with the same plastic LED sameness?

We’ll say it plain: authentic glow beats plastic glow every time.

So yes, Westminster talked neon. Nothing’s been signed off, the case has been made.

If neon can reach Westminster, it can reach your living room.

Skip the LED wannabes. 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.