I think part of the ambiguity of deciding whether to fly VFR or IFR comes from the airspace system. If the airspace was set up to facilitate easy and safe IFR flights, and flight plan filing by GA pilots using an IMC rating, then it would take much of the uncertaintaty out of whether one should fly VFR or IFR, which would increase safety and help the pilot in his/her aeronautical decision making process.
Heres and idea......why not re-label all airspace (within reason) above say FL50, and below FL100 Class E, so an ATC clearance while operating under IFR could be given.....No clearance would be required for VFR flight. Overhead 'busy' airports, this Class E could become Class D, so ATC clearance would be required for VFR flight. Existing Class A low altitude airways could be re-labeled Class D if it were to make people happy, then at least VFR pilots could enter under control of ATC......
While we're at it, employ more ATC controllers, link all the radar data from military installations and civil stations and pipe it into one room in the south, and one in the north (lets call them London Lower Airspace approach control and Scottish Lower airspace approach control), and hey presto every one is happy
Am I getting carried away?
CU
EA