Fully agree with 172Driver's last point and would go further to add:
It boils down to education. Education of our MP's and possibly even the certain bastions of the CAA/JAR/EASA land that flying at GA level is a credible industry and positive contributor to both local and national economies. When do MP's use GA?... possibly on an election campaign in a fast jet around the country/EU; so it's not surprising they may mistakenly prejudice GA for the wealthy.
A constructive thought (if it is not done already) BUT ON A NATIONAL SCALE:
National GA Day for MPs.
Why doesn't every single MP no matter what political ilk be invited (by the a/ds) to a day of being introduced to their local airfields within their respective constituencies (where applicable) throughout the UK & to meet at first hand the companies, persons employed and sample the users at these airfields to politely rectify the balance of prejudice and to constructively highlight the dangers of red tape to members of their electorate. There are some MP's that fly privately and are on various aviation boards; but that still remains too narrow a springboard. I do personally believe the above would be most beneficial if it it could be organised nationally and throughout the same/closest period of time.
EG
