Evaluate The View That The Action Of Pressure Groups Has Been More Significant Than Government Legislation In Defending And Promoting Rights In The UK. Flashcards
Introduction - Themes
Human Rights
Amendments that Protect Rights
Equality
Introduction - Argument
The government takes a reactionary approach depending on what the pressure groups advocates.
Government - Human Rights - Point
The government has implemented many pieces of legislation which protects the right of British citizens.
Government - Human Rights - Examples
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
Pressure Groups - Human Rights - Point
Pressure Groups publicise the problems in order to gain the government’s attention to problems, which they then address is legislation.
Pressure Groups - Human Rights - Examples
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
Government - Amendments - Point
The government is still able to pass legislation which many pressure groups oppose and arguably infridges on the rights of British citizens.
Government - Amendments - Example
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
Pressure Groups - Amendments - Point
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.
Pressure Groups - Amendments - Examples
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
Government - Equality - Point
In recent years, the government has implemented many pieces of legislation and set up many commissions which promote equality within the UK.
Government - Equality - Examples
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
Pressure Group - Equality - Point
The government legislation and commission are often reactionary to campaigns initially by pressure groups.
Pressure Groups - Equality - Examples
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
