The good people and politicians of the UK want a low tax US style economy but a Scandinavian level of Govt support - just look a t the screaming over the possible abolition of the Triple Lock on pensions.
I would remind you that as late as the the 70's, when we had a reasonably large set of armed services, Supertax could run to 98% on parts of your income and you had to fill in a form to get a paltry few quid to go on holiday overseas. Times have changed - but not all the changes have been for the best.
You get what you pay for