Evaluate the view that the action of pressure groups has been more significant than government legislation in defending and promoting rights in the UK.

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Human Rights
• Amendments that Protect Rights
• Equality

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

The government takes a reactionary approach depending on what the pressure groups advocates.

Question 3

Government - Human Rights - Point

Answer 3

The government has implemented many pieces of legislation which protects the right of British citizens.

Question 4

Government - Human Rights - Examples

Answer 4

• Human Rights Act 1998 codified the European Convention on Human Rights and made it enforceable in the UK Supreme Court
• The government has put forward the Bill of Rights which is an act that would replace the HRA to further promote rights

Question 5

Pressure Groups - Human Rights - Point

Answer 5

Pressure Groups publicise the problems in order to gain the government’s attention to problems, which they then address is legislation.

Question 6

Pressure Groups - Human Rights - Examples

Answer 6

• Liberty and Amnesty Internation were crucial in promoting and supporting the Human Rights Act in 1998
• There have not been positive reactions to the Bill of Rights - The Law Society have raised concern within the United Nations. In December 2022, it was rumoured that Sunak may U-turn

Question 7

Government - Amendments - Point

Answer 7

The government is still able to pass legislation which many pressure groups oppose and arguably infridges on the rights of British citizens.

Question 8

Government - Amendments - Example

Answer 8

• The government ‘Policing Bill’ was highly controversial, but it was given royal assent on the 28 April 2022.
• Boris Johnson was able to pass the Covid Act 2020 which took away many rights from the ECHR

Question 9

Pressure Groups - Amendments - Point

Answer 9

Pressure groups have been able to use their influence to force the government into amending legislation in order to make sure that it better promotes rights.

Question 10

Pressure Groups - Amendments - Examples

Answer 10

• After massive ‘Kill The Bill’ protests and opposition from Amnesty International, the government was forced to amend the Policing Bill - the Home Secretary conducted a review of the powers after 2 years
• Big Brother Watch’s Campaign meant that the majority of coronavirus legislation has now been reversed

Question 11

Government - Equality - Point

Answer 11

In recent years, the government has implemented many pieces of legislation and set up many commissions which promote equality within the UK.

Question 12

Government - Equality - Examples

Answer 12

• The Equality Act 2010 protected against discrimination both in the workplace and within wider society
• In June 2020, Boris Johnson announced a new commission into racial inequality as to better promote equal rights

Question 13

Pressure Group - Equality - Point

Answer 13

The government legislation and commission are often reactionary to campaigns initially by pressure groups.

Question 14

Pressure Groups - Equality - Examples

Answer 14

• Committed2Equality was a pressure groups that was hugely influential in raising awareness and campaigning for the Equality Act
• Commission into Racial Equality was announced in direct response to the Black Lives Matter