REVISION

Pressure Groups Why people join PG Methods that PG use Reasons for using these methods

Methods used by pressure groups: letter writing campaigns, lobbying politicians, public petitions, marches and demonstrations, poster and leaflet campaigns, mass media, public meetings and direct mailing.

Case Studies PETITIONS Petitions are a list of names of people who have signed for or against a proposal. Often hundreds of thousands of people will have signed a petition. They show politicians the number of people who support a particular campaign. The Scottish Parliament has a Petitions Committee that considers all petitions submitted on devolved matters. Petitions can be submitted on paper or electronically. On 29 June 2006, James Japp, on behalf of Neuropsychologists UK, lodged a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for the Executive to (a) ensure that the recruitment and appointment of psychologists to NHS Scotland is based entirely on skills, competency and experience; and (b) initiate an independent review of neuropsychological provision within NHS Scotland.

LOBBYING Pressure groups can lobby politicians – eg. MSPs and Councillors. This method provides direct contact with elected representatives. Individual politicians meet with representatives from the Pressure Group involved and listen to the arguments being put forward. The politician can then take action to try and help the Pressure Groups – for example, introduce a Members’ Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

PRESSURE GROUP METHODS The reasons WHY pressure groups use a variety of different methods are: Particular methods, like protests, are used to create disruption and therefore gain media attention. If media attention is gained then more people will find out about the pressure groups campaign and if more public support is gained then politicians will be under increasing pressure to take action. Lobbying government ministers and civil servants is a method used to gain direct access to those in power. These are the people that can change the law. Mass protests, demonstrations and petitions are used in order to show the extent of public support. An insider pressure group is more likely to use legal methods, as they will not want to jeopardise their relationship with the government. An outsider group does not have a privileged position with the government and therefore may use illegal methods to ensure that they gain media attention.

2006 2(a) protest/demonstration lobbying, including the employment of professional lobbyists direct action petition use of media.

2010Explain, in detail, why many people get involved in Pressure Group activities. (6) There are many reasons that people get involved in pressure group activities. First of all many people believe that it is a more effective way of putting forward views to the government. For example, ‘cause groups’ such as CND and Greenpeace want to influence public opinion and influence government policy by making the government take notice of their cause. Secondly, it is a good way to influence government decision making between elections. For example ‘insider’ pressure groups have close links with the decisions makers in the Scottish Parliament. These pressure groups can be very powerful and can influence the government. The Police Federation comments on matters about policing. Finally many believe that if more people join a PG, the more likely they are to be successful. Lots of groups have lots of support, for example CND has had many marches with over 250,000 showing support to their cause. Therefore, people believe that if you have strength in numbers change will happen.

Coalition Governments

Do coalitions work?

TASKS EXAM QUESTION Explain, in detail, why some people believe a coalition is a good way of governing Scotland. (6)

THE ROLE OF MSPs

TASKS EXAM QUESTION 2007 Describe, in detail, two ways MSPs can represent their constituents in the Scottish Parliament. (4)