The Role of Pressure Groups in the Political System Lesson Starter Brainstorm what you know already about pressure groups. Pressure Groups

Today we will… Understand the impact of Pressure Groups in the UK. Outline the different types of pressure groups in the UK.

Success Criteria Explain the difference between ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ pressure groups. Assess the impact of Pressure groups on decision making by looking at case studies.

The Impact of Pressure Groups Pressure groups can be highly influential in decision making. This can be attributed to the Freedom of Information laws and the growth of social networking sites. The founding principles of the Scottish Parliament give pressure groups an opportunity to directly influence government policy. Pressure groups covering devolved issues such as health, education and justice will have a very strong focus in the parliament. Many UK based pressure groups have a designated Scottish section which deal with Scottish issues.

The rise of Pressure Groups Less people nowadays join political parties More people are members of pressure Groups A Report The POWER INQUIRY published in March 2006 claims that people are just as interested in politics as they were in the past BUT They feel disengaged with conventional politics in the form of parties and elections They believe more in direct action through Pressure groups Pressure groups have engaged more young people Think, Pair, Share Can you think of single issues which caused young people to participate in politics and try and influence decision making? 5

Pressure Group methods Pressure groups will use different methods to try and get public support or to influence the government. They could: Protest/demonstrations Organise a petition Boycott a company/products Use social media/Website to gain members Poster/leaflet/letter campaigns Pay a professional lobbyist to contact reps. However, sometimes these legal methods are not enough and some pressure groups will break the law. This can be risky, as you risk losing public support. Loose Women off air Fathers 4 Justice Showreel

Pressure Group methods Blockades and occupations are illegal in the UK. Occupy (2012): early around St Paul’s cathedral in London was occupied for two months by anti-austerity protestors. “Bairns not Bombs” – 2015 blockade of the entrance to the Faslane Naval Base in protest of nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons are still housed on the Clyde however the base was successfully closed for a day due to the blockade. Violence towards public/officials is also illegal; protest in the UK must nor break the law or harm individuals/businesses. Tuition fee protests in London in 2010 turned violent with more than 50 injuries. Million Mask March (November 2015) – organised by a group known as Anonymous, the march turned violent and resulted in more than 50 arrests for assaults on police officers, police horses and public destruction. Anonymous has also been accused of using intimidation tactics to gain publicity.

Pressure Groups in Scotland and the UK Freedom to Choose Scotland Electoral Reform Society The Fawcett Society The Taxpayers’ Alliance Britain in Europe Wings Over Scotland Reform Child Poverty Action Group https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/28/thousands-attend-protests-against-uk-airstrikes-on-syria http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/boycotts/boycottamazon.aspx https://www.amnesty.org.uk/write-rights-2016?&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm-7_7JGO1wIVjD4bCh33pgZiEAAYASAAEgLLUfD_BwE

Activities Create a priority diagram which lists methods in order of effectiveness. 1 being the most effective so on. Why do you think there has been a rise in Pressure Groups in recent years? Pick two pressure groups- what campaigns have they launched?

Different Types of Pressure Groups Cause Interest Interest groups exist to advance the economic or professional interests of their members. Trade Unions and employers associations constitute a significant influence on policy shaping. These groups have a vested interest in a particular section of society and they strive to recruit these people. Examples include teachers, doctors, lawyers. Cause groups campaign on the basis of a specific cause i.e the environment or healthcare.

Types of Pressure Groups Insider Pressure Group Outsider Pressure Group Usually have expert knowledge on an issue Have access to government and are often consulted and listened to by government when deciding on policies, new laws/changes to laws. Work within the law. Are on the ‘outside’ of the decision making process and have less influence on government. Government does not consult with them. Usually use methods that they hope will gain lots of media attention. Sometimes this involves illegal methods. Mass demonstration on its own may or may not work in the long term, several effective mass demonstrations against the Groups may move public opinion against the Government and lose it votes in future elections.

Power in Policy Making Insider Groups The amount of power a pressure group will have will depend largely on the status of the group. “Insider” groups wield the most power. They are regarded by the government as potentially helpful and therefore they are very often consulted on issues at the earliest stages. Some of the Insider groups are essential to how government policy is formed as they have expertise in their field. The BMA are well equipped to give advice to policy makers on health issues and The Police Federation are a vital part of policy on crime. Insider groups have the advantage that they are needed for their knowledge and they can therefore use this expert influence. They will never break the law. Insider group can often provide evidence in support of government policy. This helps ministers if they need to give evidence to committees

Power in Policy Making Insider Groups However, depending on who is in government, insider pressure groups can change. For example, the Countryside Alliance were not used when Labour were in power because Labour wanted to ban fox hunting. This meant that the Countryside Alliance were an outsider group and had to use more extreme methods. The Conservatives are now in power and therefore the status of this group has shifted again. Within the Scottish Government, SNP will take advice from the Business for Scotland group rather than CBI as they gave money to the Better Together campaign.

Power in Policy Making Insider Group Methods Insider groups give expert advice and knowledge in return for their views to be taken on board. They also lobby MPs and Departments. Lobbying is a form of persuasion. Insider groups often hire professional lobbyists to do the job. While insider groups are in a very good position to shape policy at the earliest stages they also have limitations because of their close relationship with the government. They are expected to respect and observe confidentiality. This would mean that they would not be able to drum up support for their views with the public. Insider groups will rarely organise demonstrations or marches. Instead, they will rely on regular meetings with Government, often behind the scenes away from the cameras to influence decision making.

INSIDER AND OUTSIDER GROUPS What is the difference between the two types of pressure group? Which is more effective at influencing policy? Give examples.

Pressure Group Case Study The Electoral Reform Society Cause Group Insider Group Their aim is to build a better democracy for Britain. ‘Making politics fit for the 21st century’ Areas of focus: Votes at 16 Change the voting system from FPTP to a more proportional system Lack of diversity in politics- lack of women and the dominance of a political class Introduction on STV in England and Wales for local council elections

Pressure Group Case Study Child Poverty Action Group Insider Group Works to raise awareness on the devastating impact that poverty can have a on a child’s life. They ‘seek out every opportunity to raise the profile of child poverty in Scotland in the media, the political arena, the public consciousness and relevant professional contexts’ Areas of focus: Free School meals Scottish Campaign on welfare reform Solutions and end to child poverty in the UK and Scotland People Like Us Campaign

Pressure Group Case Study What CPAG has achieved. Preventing more benefit cuts: A number of key benefits rose by 5.2 percent in April 2012 in line with the Consumer Price Index. CPAG was vocal in persuading ministers that these benefits should not be cut again. £500m a year more childcare: As families have been hit hard by the Coalition Government’s spending cuts, CPAG has played a leading role in securing this extra money to help working parents on low incomes. A legal duty to end child poverty by 2020: CPAG worked with members of the End Child Poverty campaign to call for the Child Poverty Act (2010) which places legal duties on central and local government to work to end child poverty by 2020.

Paired Reading Activity You will be given a hand out on several pressure groups. Academic Task- to outline the successes and failures of the pressure groups.

Are Pressure Groups Good or Bad for Democracy? Allow participation in democratic process Can raise awareness between elections Give minority groups a voice Raise issues of importance Make decision makers aware of public opinion In an essay you would need to illustrate with examples for each point made 20

Are Pressure Groups Good or Bad for Democracy? Some groups more powerful than others Money talks Insider groups have privileged access Secret deals are bad for democracy No pressure group represents over 50% of public Should not hold government to ransom Should not break the law Again illustrate with examples

Are Pressure Groups Good or Bad for Democracy? Discussion Question: Are Pressure Groups Good or Bad for Democracy? Using the key words listed below, create a series of sentences which shows both sides of the argument. Participation Democratic Break the law Minority Money Power Example: Some groups have more money than others therefore have more influence.

Exam Skills: Reading for Information The best essays have good exemplification. You will be given a hand-out which contains lots of examples of the work of different pressure Groups. As you read, highlight the key points of information: The name of the Pressure Group The work that they do Success and Failures

Exam Task Analyse the ways in which citizens can influence decision making – 12 marks Evaluate the influence citizens have on the political system and decision making – 12 marks Unelected bodies can influence decision making in parliament. Discuss – 20 marks

Was I successful? I can explain the difference between ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ pressure groups. I can assess the impact of Pressure groups on decision making by looking at case studies.