Well Ken, it's all a matter of "culture" and a different mindset, ya see.
Over THERE the predominate mentality was that the "Lords and Ladies" just "natiurally knew" what was "best" for the Hoi Polloi, and so it wasn't until the 20th Century over there that people basically had the right to think for themsleves and make policy.
Ya see, the House Of Lords until fairly recently had the power to override ANY legislation which might have passed the House of Commons. Yep, REALLY!
And so, because WE had gotten over a century head start in this regard over those poor blokes in the idea of "Self Government", AND because WE never had some freakin' "Lord" by right-of-birth tellin' us what is "reasonable and prudent"...and most often TO our great ADVENTAGE, but occasionally to our detriment.
And, I say "occasional detriment" here 'cause from the way things are bein' run by our so-called "Informed Electorate" lately(that would be YOU and ME), I'm startin' to think that MAYBE those stupid-ass "Lords" over there MIGHT have been right AFTERALL about the freakin' Hoi polloi on EITHER side of the Atlantic Ocean!!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
