That is exactly and precisely how it works. In a common law legal system like the UK everything is legal until it suddenly isn't because some act of legislation makes it so. There is no constitution to restrict what legislation the government may choose to enact. There is a body of EU law that has some bearing but much that is relevant here (e.g. Convention of Human Rights) either comes with or was enacted into UK law with 'except because crime or national security, think of the children' tagged onto every clause.
Over just the last few decades UK governments have banned all manner of things, all of which were things people were doing every day. Hunting, smoking, various types of porn and 'legal highs' are some that immediately come to mind, but there are plenty more.
That is exactly and precisely how it works. In a common law legal system like the UK everything is legal until it suddenly isn't because some act of legislation makes it so. There is no constitution to restrict what legislation the government may choose to enact. There is a body of EU law that has some bearing but much that is relevant here (e.g. Convention of Human Rights) either comes with or was enacted into UK law with 'except because crime or national security, think of the children' tagged onto every clause.
Over just the last few decades UK governments have banned all manner of things, all of which were things people were doing every day. Hunting, smoking, various types of porn and 'legal highs' are some that immediately come to mind, but there are plenty more.