Not sure how it's poor design tbh. Sure, they could've moved it to the right-hand side for the UK market, but it's only designed as a backup system incase the batteries dead or something so why bother?. Why would you want to lock/unlock it manually anyway? You're not activating the alarm or immobiliser by locking it manually.
Oh and you also get two "blip" keys with any new Renault too, as you do with any car, so not sure what that has got to do with anything. :S
But hey, have fun writing your letter to Renault, I'm sure they'll have fun reading it!