Dear Danny,
Merry Christmas first and formost!
I am a firm believer in the forum because it is read by such a wide cross section of the aviation community. To that end I would ask any airline management, BALPA and CAA representitives what they think of the advantages/disadvantages of such unilateral rulings are. One can always introduce 'catchall' legislation without looking at all the negative effects such decisions can have on aviation as a whole. Did the CAA enter into any dialog with operators or look at the ramifications of such rulings?
It would, I believe, be of great benifit to this forum to have the opinions of such bodies to be displayed in this forum and perhaps you Danny might make an approach to them to do so, for the benifit of all.
Fly safe and and have a good new year!
Micky