It's sad to see the UK as the non-EU, police state that it is today. Just 15 years ago it felt really free. I spent half of my 20s there and have great memories, but it's really gone downhill since then.
If you look at the news from 15 years ago, it didn't look any better:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/aug/18/met-police-...