All this energy spent on keeping the IMCr should have been spent lobbying JAA to get an achievable IR instead.
I have an achievable IR, obtained in the good old days of unapproved training (do as much as you need to pass the test). That does not alter the fact that the cost of maintaining it is high compared to maintain IMC privileges which is zero if you hold a UK professional licence.
Many FIs; FICIs; FEs and even FIEs operate on the basis of in-built privileges; they do not fly airways and therefore do not need to maintain a current IR, its simply not cost effective. A number hold a MP IR but not a SP IR.
The proportion of PPL holders who would attempt an achievable IR is likely to be considerably lower than the number who attempt an IMC rating, so the net result will be more pilots with less instrument training. That will lead to more DEAD bodies!
Whilst I would support a more ICAO based approach to the IR, we must not do that at the expense of a rating that has improved safety for the majority.