Reading this thread is very, very sad!
This seems to be as discussion / argument about how/ when / who is rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic of the flight training industry! For surely that industry is sinking, or indeed compared to the activity levels of 25 years ago only has the inverted keel showing.
That this has been "achieved" by the joint strictures and continuing over-regulation / goldplating of CAA and EASA cannot be contested. 25 years ago when I learned to fly as a very mature student there was a lot of competition between many flying schools. I don't recall masses of students dying or being injured because their teachers / clubs weren't properly regulated back then!
Have you all contributed to the various "Cut the red tape" initiatives? I hope so! If not you have little to complain about!