Hey EnglishAL, I'm not sure if your comment "The the microlight lobby can go on flying without one, gliders can as long as they stay below 3000' " is well intended, or said tongue in cheek or intended to be inflammatory but it suggests a complete misunderstanding of the modus operandi of gliders in the UK.
Not meant to be either really
But it was meant to illustrate the point that SOME compromise is going to be needed by everyone. I know that gliders are perfectly able to go to great heights, but my compromise would be that ANY aircraft above a certain low-level altitude should be transponding. Those who don't wish to, stay below. Those who want to transit in relative safety, then climb into the Mode C area......just chucking ideas around
