Having read through the entire thread again, these are my thoughts.
As Digger has pointed out, the license is completely pointless to its stated purpose of preventing dangerous chemicals falling into criminal hands. However, perhaps the stated purpose is not the real one. There is little doubt that the EU precursor regulation will go through, and the UK will have no choice other than to adopt it. The proposed license creates a legal loophole that allows the present state of affairs to continue in Britain. If this is indeed the intent, as I suspect it may be, neither the price nor the bureaucracy should be too difficult to meet. I believe it shouldn't be opposed, nor confused by connecting it to any other demands like a change to the 100g rule. These can be tackled later, once the right of possession is secured.
If I still lived in Britain, I would apply for one.