The sooner you get it the better, regardless of any changes in beaurocratic meddling. It makes you a better pilot.
I'm sure that's correct, but personally as somebody just about to finish my PPL, I'd rather get a little fair-weather flying in first and take things at a more relaxed pace.
My plan had been to do my IMC exam (i.e. start the course) and hope that would count in my favour should I be in a position to do the IMC next year... I just can't see myself finding time to do it before April.
I can deal with the fact that EASA would like to create their own IR rating, and I can even accept that the IMCr may be coming to a close. But I find it bemusing that we can be so close to the cutoff date with so many basic questions on the licence still unanswered.