Authenticity Vs LED: A Westminster Story
2025.09.25 16:02
British MPs seldom discuss aesthetics. Tax and trade dominate the agenda. On a spring evening this year, the subject was neon.
Ms Qureshi, brought heritage into the chamber. Her message was uncompromising: hand-bent glass filled with noble gas is artistry.
She contrasted it with cheap LED substitutes, arguing they dilute the name neon. Marketing should not blur the definition.
Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, positioning neon as regional creativity. Cross-party nodding followed.
Numbers framed the urgency. The UK now counts fewer than thirty artisans. The pipeline of skills has closed. Without action, the tradition could vanish.
The Commons considered safeguarding, similar to Harris Tweed. Protect the name.
Support also came from Jim Shannon, DUP, adding an economic perspective. Reports show 7.5% annual growth. 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 acknowledged the case.
He listed Britain’s neon landmarks: Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He argued custom Neon Signs outdoor can outlast LEDs.
What is at stake? The risk is confusion. Craft is undermined. That threatens heritage.
It is no different to whisky or Champagne. If Scotch must come from Scotland, then craft deserves recognition.
The debate mattered beyond signage. Do we allow heritage skills to disappear?
At Smithers, the stance is firm: glass and gas still matter.
So yes, Parliament discussed neon. No law has passed yet. But the spotlight has been lit.
If Westminster can defend glow, so can we all.
Skip LED pretenders. Choose neon.
Ms Qureshi, brought heritage into the chamber. Her message was uncompromising: hand-bent glass filled with noble gas is artistry.
She contrasted it with cheap LED substitutes, arguing they dilute the name neon. Marketing should not blur the definition.
Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North, positioning neon as regional creativity. Cross-party nodding followed.
Numbers framed the urgency. The UK now counts fewer than thirty artisans. The pipeline of skills has closed. Without action, the tradition could vanish.
The Commons considered safeguarding, similar to Harris Tweed. Protect the name.
Support also came from Jim Shannon, DUP, adding an economic perspective. Reports show 7.5% annual growth. 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 acknowledged the case.
He listed Britain’s neon landmarks: Walthamstow Stadium’s listed sign. He argued custom Neon Signs outdoor can outlast LEDs.
What is at stake? The risk is confusion. Craft is undermined. That threatens heritage.
It is no different to whisky or Champagne. If Scotch must come from Scotland, then craft deserves recognition.
The debate mattered beyond signage. Do we allow heritage skills to disappear?
At Smithers, the stance is firm: glass and gas still matter.
So yes, Parliament discussed neon. No law has passed yet. But the spotlight has been lit.
If Westminster can defend glow, so can we all.
