OK, two observations from a low-time PPL...
First, I don't understand this datalink idea - how does a text message on a screen allow a commercial pilot to gain situational awareness of what other aircraft are doing? If messages for other aircraft are also displayed, surely there is a much greater risk of "mis-reading" an instruction intended for someone else, especially if the messages are scrolling upwards as new ones are received. I'm also rather nervous about the pilot using his eyes to receive clearances - his eyes should be looking for other traffic and/or monitoring the instruments. In most flying the ears aren't heavily used, so are ideal for getting instructions into the brain. Perhaps I'm missing something????
Second, on the subject of controlled airspace, I'm going to make myself very unpopular with a lot of GA pilots. I personally have no objection to their being controlled airspace over the whole of the UK from surface to orbit PROVIDED that all aircraft (including GA) have an equal right to fly through the vast majority of it with nothing more than a radio and a Mode-C transponder. OK, so some vintage types with no electrical system may have problems complying with the "radio+Mode-C" bit, but it's not unsurmountable even for them. I'd expect something like 95% of airspace below FL100 to be class-E or class-D with comprehensive secondary radar cover and staffed to provide RIS/LARS to all, with class-C (or even class-B) airspace around the busier airports. Hmmm - sounds a bit like the US.... Who knows - it might even improve the standard of R/T from GA pilots!
MD