  To systematically answer the generalized Kretschmann objection, we propose a
mean to make operational a criterion widely recognized as allowing to decide if
the gauge symmetry of a theory is artificial or substantial. Our proposition is
based on the dressing field method of gauge symmetry reduction, a new simple
tool from mathematical physics. This general scheme allows in particular to
straightforwardly argue that the notion of spontaneous symmetry breaking is
superfluous to the empirical success of the electroweak theory. Important
questions regarding the context of justification of the theory then arise.
