As of 2 December 2011, there were real examples of government-imposed limits on conduct, including smokefree rules for enclosed public places and the Hunting Act 2004’s ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs, so there is some factual basis for saying the state had added restrictions. (gov.uk) But the contemporaneous official record also shows the 2010–11 coalition government was actively presenting itself as restoring liberties: it reviewed counter-terror powers to 'restore our civil liberties,' introduced the Protection of Freedoms Bill to reduce government intrusion, and parliamentary scrutiny described that bill as removing or repealing criticised provisions. (gov.uk) Because the claim is broad and normative ('our freedoms') rather than a clearly measurable effect, the public evidence does not establish a clear causal trend that government was steadily impinging on freedoms 'bit by bit.' It is a plausible political characterization, but not something the available evidence can confirm as a net, demonstrable fact. (gov.uk) Sources: GOV.UK (Impact of smokefree legislation: evidence review; Review of CT powers and legislation published; Protection of Freedoms Bill), legislation.gov.uk (Hunting Act 2004), UK Parliament Joint Committee on Human Rights (Protection of Freedoms Bill report), House of Commons Library (Smoking in public places).