Berners-Lee is British. He has been working with the British government on internet issues. I know this is crazy, but they actually listen to him.
Unfortunately, not so. e.g. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/8030467/Inter...
The Digital Economy Act he is complaining about in that article - which, like SOPA, included provisions for national censorship in the name of copyright - passed by a large majority. Most MPs were not present for the debate, but simply voted according to their party line.
That's the case in UK politics. The 'party whip' is used, and only in uncommon cases is a 'free vote' allowed.