I am confused .... how does a E-IR pilot safely descend to VMC perhaps outside of controlled airspace, or even in controlled airpsace for that matter and quite probably without the aid of radar vectoring
Neil
He does it in exactly the same way an existing IR or IMCr holder arrives today at a VFR-only airport. For that matter, during the first 20 years or so of the IMCR, before the UK started using the ICAO airspace classification system in the 90s, there were many of the present IFR Class D airports "notified under Schedule 8" in which IMCr holders could not fly IFR. In effect, the IMCr was an EIR in those days, in many circumstances where a diversion would have been an incredible hassle.
Let's be clear on one thing. There is no "mystery" as to how a flight which is IFR in IMC enroute (in airways or non-) establishes VFR for the approach and landing.
It happens all day every day at VFR airports with IFR-capable GA traffic.
brgds
421C