I suspect a lot of the disagreement in this thread is due to the cultural differences between the UK and Australia.
By way of background to my opinions, I have done my GFPT in WA and have done some 20-odd hours flying training in the UK.
Australians have an obsession with following rules and fixing things with legislation, hence many of Sunfish's arguments, Student Pilot's Licences ASICs, wire fences around GA aerodromes, compulsory throttle locks, mandatory bathwater temperature and policemen behind every bush with radar devices.
The Brits, on the other hand follow the 'rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obeyance of fools' mentality. They allow you to solo with only a medical, leave planes unlocked in an open field with the keys on the coaming, use many non-standard approaches to airfields and, it seems to me, generally have a lot more variation to deal with than Aussie pilots. Oh, and if you're lucky enough to have a shower in your house, you can crank the temperature right up!
Maybe I'll change my opinion as my hours accrue, but I suspect it may be just reinforced.
A