Beagle
You have always been a big supporter of the IMCR! Me too with a caveat!
It is a Micky Mouse instrument rating and I always as you know supported the idea of a FAA style instrument rating valid across Europe!
The IMCR has safety benefits which are as a get out if jail card for the VFR pilot not as an instrument rating to be used in anger!
That is not to say that very experienced pilots do not use it effectively but that is their experience levels not the rating!
As things stand as you say an IMCR holder will get a restricted EASA rating which allows limited use of airways!
The IMCR allows approaches in IFR in the UK
A pilot operating in England Scotland and Northern Ireland would effectively have a full IR on the back of a Mickey Mouse rating!
Apart from being rude to me explain how I am wrong or whether that would be advisable ?
Pace