brokenspectre - the government don't dish out sentences, that is the work of the judiciary.
The average judge is about 70, ex-public school and out of touch with reality, so what do you expect.
Have you ever thought that the so-called 'nanny state' might be a good thing with the average Brit being so politically unaware and worldly wise that they cannot problem solve for themselves! (PS only the Americans are more dense - my friend was asked how long it took to drive from England to California!)