When Parliament Got Lit: How MPs Took A Stand For Glass Gas And Glow

When Neon Dreams London Stormed Westminster

Few debates in Parliament ever shine as bright as the one about neon signage. But on a unexpected session after 10pm, Britain’s lawmakers did just that.

the formidable Ms Qureshi stood up and lit the place up with a speech defending neon sign makers. Her argument was simple but fierce: glass and gas neon is an art form, and cheap LED impostors are strangling it.

She hammered the point: if it isn’t glass bent by hand and filled with neon or argon, it isn’t neon.

Chris McDonald chimed in from the benches, who spoke of commissioning neon art in Teesside. The mood in the chamber was almost electric—pun intended.

Facts gave weight to the emotion. The craft has dwindled from hundreds to barely two dozen. There are zero new apprentices. The idea of a certification mark or British Standard was floated.

From the Strangford seat came a surprising ally, armed with market forecasts, noting global neon growth at 7.5% a year. Translation: this isn’t nostalgia, it’s business.

The government’s man on the mic was Chris Bryant. Even ministers can’t help glowing wordplay, and Madam Deputy Speaker shot back with "sack them". But underneath the banter was a serious nod.

He highlighted neon as both commerce and culture: from Piccadilly Circus and fish & chip shop fronts. He stressed neon lasts longer than LED when maintained.

So what’s the issue? The glow is fading: consumers are being duped into thinking LEDs are the real thing. That kills trust.

Think of it like whisky or London neon signs champagne. If it’s not gas in glass, it’s not neon.

In that chamber, the question was authenticity itself. Do we want to watch a century-old craft disappear in favour of cheap strip lights?

At Smithers, we know the answer: glass and gas belong in your world, not just LED copycats.

Parliament literally debated neon heritage. Nothing’s been signed off, but the spotlight is on.

And if MPs can argue for real neon under the oak-panelled glare of the House, you can sure as hell hang one in your lounge, office, or bar.

Bin the plastic pretenders. If you want authentic neon, handmade the way it’s meant to be, you know where to find it.

Parliament’s been lit—now it’s your turn.