Imo those who see the need for change and are willing to conform to the change that the owner has determined to implement will ultimately find the site to improve and become a better experience for all.
The problem though is not that they need to change, it is what they are being asked to change to. They are being asked to specifically change into Percy's way of thinking or have their membership terminated.
Don't forget that most of the members that have been bumped by Percy or have volunteered to be removed, have contributed a great amount of time and effort into this website. We are talking probably over 100 000 posts, or pretty near that figure, so they were seriously committed to the site. These people made this site what it is today, and it will rapidly go downhill from here, which is sad. it will end up like Terry's hall of morons, all who disagree with Terry are removed.
Once revision has become established will perhaps be the time for determination by Admin as to whether any old members return who want to or whether participating members including reinstated ones remain.
I can garauntee you that those members who resigned on principle will tell percy where to stick his site if asked back!
The problem Buz is that people who act on principle tend to keep to their action.
Why would any of the members who resigned contemplate returning?