Islander2, I'm not sure I understand you because I'm not "...making the vital distinction urged by derekf (post #10 above)..." as it's not relevant.
However I agree with derekf's point:
It's important to separate lobbying MPs and the work AOPA is doing in trying to get the IMCR rating kept in some way in the UK from the work going on in FCL008 (which includes AOPA representative) to generate an NPA for a more attainable IR.
I think FCL.001 and .008 are quite capable of dealing with the latter issue, but have deemed (we keep being told) that a Euro-wide IMCR is impossible, even though it's in the remit of FCL.008 (Irv Lee has some pretty cutting things to say about that in the flyer AOPA forum).
Therefore the laudable goal of a Euro-wide IMC rating is, alas, beyond the reach of most European pilots. It might just be possible for us to continue it in the UK.