UK law chose to add a restriction for abusive or threatening language. The edge is in a different place, that's all. I don't think the UK has ever restricted sp

UK law chose to add a restriction for abusive or threatening language. The edge is in a different place, that's all. I don't think the UK has ever restricted speaking out against conscription, the US used to. Different countries, different restrictions. It is still free speech within the legislated exclusions set by the two countries. No one gets fined or imprisoned for standing outside parliament complaining about the government all day etc. In accepting the penalty without disputing it in court, we'll never know if a court would have upheld this case as a reasonable fine or interpretation of the law.