Influences on Parliament – Pressure Groups

What are Pressure Groups? Groups of people with a shared interest in getting the government to change the law in certain areas Can range from a small group of individuals to a network of millions

Methods used by Pressure Groups Lobbying or talking to ministers or MPs Getting the public to sign petitions Running a publicity campaign with adverts in the media Producing promotional literature Organising marches, demonstrations and strikes

Types of Pressure Groups Sectional or Interest Pressure Groups – These exist to further the interests of their own particular section of society. These include trade unions (e.g. National Union of Teachers) and professional associations (e.g. British Medical Association) Cause Groups – These promote a particular idea or belief. For example environmental groups like Greenpeace and human rights groups like Amnesty International Pressure groups can either be Insider groups or Outsider groups: Insider Groups – have direct contact with government ministers and MPs (a lot of sectional groups) Outsider Groups – don’t have access to decision makers and have to resort to direct action to promote their cause (e.g. Fathers4Justice)

How Pressure Groups Influence Parliament – Sectional Groups Major sectional groups like professional associations representing groups such as lawyers and doctors can be very influential as they represent large or powerful groups whose support the government needs to gain or retain. These groups are often wealthy and can afford to employ research staff and mount extensive publicity campaigns. E.g. – ban on smoking in public places in July 2007 was partly the result of lobbying by the British Medical Association Because of the wealth and influence of these groups governments tend to consult them before introducing a bill affecting their interests. The content of any law introduced may be influenced by this consultation process.

How Pressure Groups Influence Parliament – Cause Groups Often outsider groups – so less likely to be consulted by or have links with government ministers Large groups often more successful than smaller ones Some outsider groups often have to resort to publicity stunts (e.g. Fathers4Justice) or marches and demonstrations But well organised groups are able to publicise their campaign and succeed in gaining some type of reform E.g. – RSPCA – a long established charity that has considerable support amongst British public – has campaigned for animal welfare legislation for many years using methods such as leafleting and multimedia advertising – promoted the Animal Welfare Bill which was passed as an Act in 2006 which requires owners to provide their pets with food, water, shelter, veterinary care and freedom to move about E.g. - Stonewall (outsider group) – successful campaign resulted in Parliament passing the Civil Partnerships Act in 2004 and legalising gay marriage in 2012

How Pressure Groups Influence Parliament – Individuals Sometimes one person can bring about change single-handedly: E.g. Mary Whitehouse headed a campaign against child pornography which led to government introducing the Protection of Children Act 1984 E.g. Jamie Oliver was successful in promoting healthier meals in schools – TV series devoted to the cause which gained him support from many sectional groups e.g. National Union of Teachers and British Medical Association – in 2006 the Department for Education issued The Education (Nutritional Standards for School Food) Regulations containing similar provision to those suggested by Jamie Oliver.

How Pressure Groups Influence Parliament – In Response to Events Pressure groups are sometimes set up as a result of a tragic event. E.g. The Snowdrop Campaign – set up after the Dunblane massacre in 1996 – resulted in Parliament banning the private ownership of most types of handguns

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pressure Groups Advantages Give the public and minorities a voice. Act as a safety valve for frustrations e.g. pro-hunting and anti-Iraq war protests Help MPs keep in touch with what people think – e.g. pressure from environmental groups persuaded government to change car tax regulations to favour smaller more fuel-efficient cars and pressure from anti-smoking group ASH and doctors’ groups led to ban on smoking in public places in 2007 Raise public awareness of issues – e.g. Fathers4Justice successful through a variety of stunts in raising awareness of plight of fathers denied access to children after a divorce Members have considerable expertise and can suggest detailed and well-thought-out law changes. Many groups have draft Bills ready for backbench MPs to introduce Disadvantages They are inevitably biased in favour of their interest or cause - campaigns may not represent an objective, balanced argument -e.g. Fathers4Justice rarely recognise that courts are genuinely attempting to achieve the best outcome for the children Some large groups which represent powerful organisations are very influential and it is difficult for smaller groups to match their influence – e.g. Environmental groups claim the strength of the road lobby and airline industry means new roads and airport extensions are difficult to fight Methods some groups use can be a problem – e.g. strikes and protests can cause disruption. Tactics of Fathers4Justice have been criticised. Methods can be criminal e.g. - members of Countryside Alliance broke into House of Commons as part of campaign in favour of fox hunting. Animal activists who damage scientific laboratories that experiment on animals Groups may only represent a minority view when they are successful at changing the law – e.g. this was argued when the death penalty was abolished in 1966

Types of questions you could be asked Describe the influence of pressure groups on Parliament (10 marks) Briefly discuss advantages and disadvantages of the influence of pressure groups on Parliament (10 marks)

Answering Exam Questions Describe/Explain questions: Explain how they influence law making – use examples of statutes (laws) created/reformed as a result of pressure groups Focus on the different ways the different types of groups can influence Parliament Evaluation questions: Explain why the particular point is an advantage or disadvantage Use evidence and examples of successes and failures Distinguish between the different types of groups for their likelihood of success Can link the advantages and disadvantages together – e.g. – they articulate public concerns but they may be a small and unrepresentative group which might acquire disproportionate influence