I wasn't the person but presumably they thought your point of view was reductionist given that the 90s were a time of widespread global prosperity. Like there was a specific context behind all of the investment.
The government investing in public services was definitely one of the key factors in life being better back then.
I don't think it's that straightforward though. Not saying your point is irrelevant, I can definitely see your point. But I feel like most of the Western world where the British government has no reach would have this same opinion.