It all goes back to the Revolutionary War... it's why Brits are always cast as the bad guys in movies. Take
Star Wars, for example... the Death Star was FULL of English Imperial officers:
Imperial Officer: "What is it,
Leftenant Sebastian?"
Lt. Sebastian: "It's the Rebels, sir. They're here."
Imperial Officer: "Do they want tea?"
Lt. Sebastian: "No, I think they're after rather more than that. I'm not sure what it is, but they've brought a flag."
Imperial Officer: "Damn! That's dash cunning of them!"