Do Pressure Groups/think Tanks Have Influence Flashcards
1A: lobbying allows them to directly access MP’s
Insider groups such as CBI have access to MP’s to allow them to be consulted in the early stages of bills to affect policy as they are consderied experts on their field and their interests are considered important by the government. Starmer spoke at the CBI in 2022, saying that Labour is commited to being a pro business party and admitted he can’t do some “good Labour things”.
RMT union lobbied successfully for improved conditions in offshore oil platforms, ferries and trains, affiliation to Laborh
Lobbying is limited to insider groups who the government already favour, not exactly changing things
Outsider groups are groups not consulted by govt or that purposefully don’t work with the govt. insider groups can effectively be managed, would they be less likely to strike if it would mean they lose vip access to govt, appeasement rather than actual influence.
In labours interest to support unions anyway to appeal to working class
2A: protests
Protests especially with celebrity support allow groups to exert pressure on the govt, for example just stop oil who deployed tactics such as disrupting the M35 in 2022, attaching themselves to a goal post in an Everton football game and vandalising stone henge, this raised public conscious on issues, and whilst controversial, a 2024 report said people are more likely to donate to pro-climate charities
Also four to pressure like £20mill spent by Met Police by 2023 from JSO, Labour policy stopped new licensing of gas and oil
2B: more extreme demonstrations can have reverse effect
Just stop oil also made an issue that is agreed bi-laterally among the public something controversial.
2024: 80% concerned with climate
70% want net zero
But 68% disapprove of JSO
Also no end to production of oil and gas under Labour, and Labour say JSO had no affect in ending lisencing and supported CON clamp down on extreme protests
3A: strikes
Strikes threaten major industries collapsing, slowing down the economy, forcing the govt to respond
E.g. criminal barrister strike 2022 due to stagnant fees and legal aid cuts saw a 15% pay increase of £7,000 extra a year
3B: strikes don’t always work
If strikes do not gain public support, as they do effect industry, slow down economy and especially if its public sector, can be seen as selfish, prioritising pay over public health, education etc, they may fail.
E.g. in 2011 public sector strikes, 60% of schools closed, opposing govt decision to make teachers work longer to achieve pension, but no change was made, potneiinaltn as public opposed Cameron’s policy, but disapproved of depriving eduction
