Should I be able to start the bike in gear with the clutch pulled in?

[joebloggs]

The switch is a right **** to change.  I ended up cutting the old one to pieces to remove it.  Sometimes a good spray with wd40 or similar can get it working again

The lights shouldn't dim when you try and start it in gear since no power is going to the starter motor but from the other symptoms sounds like it is the sidestand switch.

Bypass the focer, please remember to raise it before setting off