ETVT think tanks, lobbyists and PG have little impact on policy Flashcards
LOA
YEA
what is a think tank
Think-Tanks are groups of experts who are brought together to investigate topics and offer
solutions to complicated, economic, social and political issues.
what is a lobbyists
Lobbyists are members of professional organisations paid by clients seeking access to
government, MPs and members of the House of Lords. Their purpose is to gain influence on
behalf of their clients and prevent/promote legislation damaging/promoting their interests.
what is a PG
Pressure groups are groups that seek to influence politics in order to achieve particular goals.
They don’t seek political office, but seek to change policy through influencing public opinion,
parliament and the government
1.Against- insider PG
insider groups contacts and aligning with govt attitudes
minsters civils contacts to relevant govt dept. most insider groups align
stonewall and TB lobbying and sexual offenses act 2000
NFU close links with defra (dept environment food rural affairs
expertise and advice
famers and uk economy importance
55,000 members
2023 defra sec 45 mill funding for farmers
NFU lobbied this
2024 Canada free trade agreement suspended due to NFU
1.For - insider
however it is still the
government that ultimately makes the final decisions on policy.
they have to be broadly aligned with government policies to have an impact, they
are unlikely to majorly shift policy in a direction the government wouldn’t have done so
anyway.
The National Union Of Farmers, has influence over Conservative
governments because the Conservative Party broadly supports their aims anyway.
This also makes Insider Pressure Groups very dependent on the political leanings of the
government of the day and can quickly become outsider groups and lose their influence if
the political situation changes.
For example, key trade unions wielded a lot of influence under the Labour governments
of the 1970s, but had little-to-no influence once Thatcher was elected and was intent on
Finally, it is also often very difficult to judge the success of Insider Pressure Groups as they
often don’t publicise the successes they have had as to not offend, and therefore risk losing,
their government contacts.
2.For-think tanks
For- lobbyists
ALt source of ideas for civil servants more time expertise for research than PP
infl. policies of parties and actions of govt
party allegiances and leanings
late 2023 early 2024 TB inst for global change info. starmers policy
progressive ideologies and pro business aligns with centrist
tough on crime and causes and anti social behavior
lobbyists:
big in uk
4,000 people and 2 bill each year discuss concerns with MP and govt department use economic importance of clients to influence policy
Scott benton Blackpool South undercover sting operation by Times in 2023 offered to lobby on behalf of fake gambling company
proposed to ask parliament q’s and leak confidential policy of govt in exchange for 4k a month
2.against- think tanks and lobbyists
think tanks:
govt makes final decision
influences shouldn’t be overtstated
not groups lack big support
struggle to influence as much as PG
lobbyists :
they have contacts and financial incentives extent of corruption shoildht be overstated otherwise there would be public and media backlash
2024- passed tobacco and vapes act stopping all born after 2009 buying cigs despite intense lobbying from tobacco industries to vote down bill.
limits lobby if they go against govt policy
3.against- outsider PG
Outsider Pressure Groups:
Use media, public protests, and non-discrete methods to mobilize public opinion and pressure the government to change policy.
Social movements demonstrate significant public support, influencing government popularity and elections.
Key Examples:
Marcus Rashford’s 2020 Campaign: Successfully mobilized public support via social media and petitions to extend free school meals during holidays, leading to a government U-turn in June 2020.
Protests for Ceasefire in Gaza (2024): Protests pressured Labour and Conservative parties to soften their stance on Israel’s war, with Labour supporting a ceasefire and Cameron calling for de-escalation.
Legal Challenges:
Well-funded outsider groups use legal action to reverse government policies.
Care4Calais: Challenged the UK’s Rwanda deportation deal, arguing it violated human rights.
Success on 14 June 2022: Human rights legal challenges stopped the first deportation flight to Rwanda.
3.against- outsider
Challenges for Outsider Pressure Groups:
Lack government contacts and alignment with government views.
Struggle if public support is not significant, especially with disruptive or violent methods.
Example - Just Stop Oil:
Gained media attention in 2022 with disruptive protests, such as blocking roads and stopping football matches.
Alienated public support, making it easier for Sunak to announce 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences in July 2023.
Public Order Act (May 2023):
Introduced to limit disruptive outsider tactics, imposing stricter penalties and new tools for law enforcement.
New offences like “locking-on” and interfering with infrastructure, punishable by imprisonment or fines.
Example: October 30, 2023, over 60 Just Stop Oil activists arrested during a “slow march” around Parliament Square under the new law.
