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The standards at the criminal bar are, on the whole, much much higher than the solicitors side of the profession in terms of paperwork, law and advocacy.
I find it highly unlikely any merger would raise standards.
If, memory serves me right, Wellman bemoans the American single profession system in his opening chapters of The Art of Cross-Examination. No doubt, all those involved in advocacy will be familiar with the work. His argument for the division between advocates and others is well made on every ground, in particular value to the clients.
At the moment, I am involved in correspondence with a CPS lawyer who cannot understand English or respond in grammatical sentences. It is depressing that such a person can become qualified.
The new exam for solicitors should be introduced as soon as possible. But made far harder than envisaged. All in practice should be made to take the test so that we can get rid of a large tranche of solicitors who should never have been admitted in the first place.
Let’s start with the basics, shall we?