Slopey,
You have already answered your own question when you quote :
unless his licence includes an instrument rating (aeroplane) or an instrument meteorological conditions rating (aeroplanes), fly as pilot in command or co-pilot of such an aeroplane flying in Class D or E airspace in circumstances that require compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules;
unless you have an IMC or IR, then you cannot fly IFR in class D airspace. You can not request an IFR clearance because you can't accept it!
You can't fly VFR at night, so what are you left with? All you're left with is either don't fly, or request a Special VFR clearance.
As for the startup request, I've never heard an official view on it....seems to be down to local procedures as far as I can see. If at an ATC airport where I'm not familiar with local procedures in this regard, and there's no note about it in the AIP entry, I would request startup.
dp