Lighthouse Effect with Small Fluorescent Bulbs and Neon Indicator Switches

I made the mistake of putting an inline switch which has a neon indicator that lights when powered but not when in the on position, in a standard lamp that I was given. The reason I used that switch was that it was bigger and therefore easier to wire up. I put in an incandescent bulb and had no problem.

Later I replaced the incandescent bulb with a small wattage fluorescent. It was only when I went into the darkened room later that I was aware of a slow flashing and realised it was coming from the bulb, obviously being slowly charged through the neon indicator and then discharging through the bulb.

I had occasion to change bulbs around and ended up with a higher wattage bulb in the standard lamp which now was flashing brightly in daylight when switched off, so the time has come to replace the switch.