With regard to the part P issue and jumping through the hoops, I'm not happy with it, but I will continue to do it. My work is completed to the standard required by the regs, or my standard where I feel the regs are inadequate. I have all the required insurances, qualifications, and tools to carry out the work that I do. If something comes up as part of a job which I don't tick all the boxes for, I get someone in who does. I have the required membership of a self cert body (ELECSA).
Why do this when I know I could quite easily trade without them and increase my profit? Because that way I have a peaceful nights sleep. No one can point a finger at me for anything to do with my work. People get the certs that they should, and work to the required standard or better.
As for the political debate, the 'this party, that party' arguements always make me smile. Talk about missing the important issue/player in all this. Ever hear of an organisation called the 'Civil Service'? The one that's been in power for over a century in it's current form. The one that cannot be influenced, voted for, controlled or held to account by the electorate. The one which provides policies and schemes for the puppets of the day to publicise. The one which controls and allocates budgets. The one that organised the building regs and got it's cronies in to draw them up. The one that provides the management strategies and staff for LABCs across the country. The one which is consulted on privatisation. The one whos retired employees go on to work for the contractors which take over where public organisations once ruled.