you can't seriously tell me that (for example) Lulsgate fogport is a better alternative for all those rich and underemployed people in Gloucestershire.
It isn't. According to the last CAA survey (in 2008) only 5% of BRS's passenger numbers started or finished their journey in Gloucestershire.
I like BHX. I think it's a great airport having used it for the first time last year. It's certainly a mystery that an airport serving such a big population appears to be having a hard time expanding its network though I don't believe that BRS is doing any better in that regard despite comments to the contrary in this thread.
Incidentally, I've used BRS regularly as a passenger for over 30 years and have only been diverted once in that time because of weather, and during most of that time the Cat 3 ILS now on runway 27 didn't exist.