It's a fine line.
On the one hand, a people's government is obviously never reflective of everyone, and often not even of the majority on a given issue. It's not even purely an issue of representation, politicians are just...a very different species compared to ordinary people.
On the other, in this case the majority of the UK public IS somewhat culpable, because they still heavily support this. Support for the online safety act is still polling at something like 70%. They asked for this, they got it, and they're happy about it. Doesn't mean the other 30% doesn't exist, but it is fair to point out that they're in the minority, and to thus characterize "the UK public" in certain ways.
On the THIRD hand however, this particular policy aside, from everything I've seen the GENERAL sentiment of UK citizens towards the current government seems to be overwhelmingly negative. Starmer appears to be the least popular PM in the post-war period, barring that crazy bitch that was in for 60 days or something.
So as usual, it's complicated. But yes, in general I do try to avoid lumping in a people with their government. That's somewhat the point of this and other posts I've made: to give out warning and express sympathy for those suffering under the current regime there.