The main obstacle to eliminating the British style plug is the requirement for a fused plug to accomodate the ring circuit. Why does the plug have to be fused?
I don't think it needs to be fused.
The requirements a socket/plug has to meet when used with a ring:
1.) Not overload the ring on either side. This problem exist even if you use fused plugs. If don't put a socket at the first and last 20% of the ring, there is no problem.
2.) The socket must handle the current passing through it and it must be impossible to overload it. The problem has obviously been solved for the double sockets used today. Just make the terminals for 20A @ 2.5 mm2) and the capacity between them the same.
3.) In case of a phase-neutral short, a protective device must break the current. A fuse in the plug or socket is one way. Another is to rely on the circuit breaker in the consumer unit. It would work with a 32A B MCB. Even if the you have 70m ring and attach a 30m 1.5mm2 extension cord.
