I fear that there appears to be no way to get any leverage on the people making these bureaucratic decisions allegedly on our behalf.
That does appear to be the case. There are some MEPs who understand, such as Jackie Foster and Philip Bradbourn, but regrettably it seems that they are in the minority and are unable to prevent this stupidity.
Brian Simpson is head of the Transport Committee, and seems keen to push this through - for whatever reason. He also seems to be disingenuous in saying "its all the fault of the US for not accepting European licenses" when he knows perfectly well that this is not true.
He knows well enough that the planned legislation will actually create a problem, far from solving anything at all, that the status quo is fine, and the BASA is a joke.
And he knows perfectly well that in fact the US authorities already accept European licenses more than JAA/EASA accepts American licenses - you can get a 61.75 piggyback PPL from the FAA based upon a JAA license just with some form-filling, but the JAA/EASA won't reciprocate.
So my suggestion would be to write vociferously to Brian Simpson - perhaps if he gets 5,000 letters/e-mails telling him he is plain wrong; that what he is backing will be extremely damaging to European aviation and jobs; and that he ought to actually start representing his constituents he just might change his stance.
And if anyone has the chance of giving him and the EASA crowd bad publicity - do what you can - they deserve it in spades.