Everyone has to remember that national aviation authorities are not swayed by the number of pilots wanting to do something.........they will dig their heals in and not budge until they can be assured that safety and thus their credibility as a regulator is not going to be comprimised.
25,000 IMC ratings issued,
40 years experience,
No evidence of issues with problems with commercial traffic,
One case of CFIT in 40 years.
I think that is a pretty solid case. Of course we and they could ignore the evidence. Fortunately they have not.