In defence of UK regulators...
There is no incentive for anyone to approve anything in the UK. There is only 'downside' for them - if it's wrong (or even when there's only the perception that it's wrong) they lose their job.
It's a structural problem - the regulators should be encouraged to make blameless 'best judgement' type decisions without fear.
This generic problem limits the business, to our detriment. - Kills aviation. FAA appears more pragmatic.
Nick - brave words but in the UK you could get 'grounded' just for thinking like that !