max
I think you and your colleagues are beginning to see the result of truncated and absolute minimal ATCO training that is the modern NATS. Additional factors have been touched on over the years:-
1. no fam flight scheme in contravention of a CAA directive
2.reluctance to impose flow restrictions when bad wx forecast
3.interest in aviation "things" no longer a job qualification
4.shallow experience/awareness base leading to inflexibility
If you are sufficiently concerned for the safety of aircraft and/or pax make a PAN call and request immediate turn for weather......this may result in a better service delivery for following aircraft. If the controller gets away with it to-day then he/she will do it tomorrow....balls in your court.....never forget that YOU are the customer.