Methods Used By Pressure Groups

Question 1

Lobby

Answer 1

Groups meet with politicians and civil servants in order to argue their case and try to persuade them
to adopt their ideas (BMA)

Question 2

Research and publish reports

Answer 2

Research can provide evidence to support a group’s argument and can be used to inform politicians
and raise public awareness of the cause (XR)

Question 3

Give evidence at hearings

Answer 3

Public consultations, legislative committees and select committees will hold hearings to help them determine a decision or action.
By giving evidence and speaking on behalf of their members, groups can exert influence on those in a position of power.
eg: TuskTrust, Jeff Astle Foundation

Question 4

Organise publicity campaigns

Answer 4

Groups may organise publicity campaigns to raise public awareness of their cause. This might be to
raise awareness of a particular issue and encourage the public to take action themselves, or it might be
to encourage the public to put pressure on elected officials.

Suffragettes, Civil Rights Movement, XR

Question 5

Organise public demonstrations

Answer 5

Groups may organise large demonstrations, such as marches and rallies, to demonstrate to those in
power the strength and scale of support for their cause. A large demonstration is also likely to gain
publicity and help spread awareness of the cause.

XR

Question 6

Publicity stunts

Answer 6

Small groups without the resources to pay for a media campaign may use publicity stunts in order to attract media attention and thereby gain publicity and generate awareness of their cause.

Question 7

Civil disobedience

Answer 7

Some groups may use illegal methods as a form of civil disobedience, by disrupting public events or
staging a sit-in in order to cause disruption and bring attention to their cause.

Like when PlaneStupid occupied a taxiway at London Stansted Airport that saw 56 Ryanair flights were cancelled and 56,000 passengers were delayed by the protest.

Question 8

Go on strike

Answer 8

Workers may go on strike to put pressure on those in power in order to try to reach an agreement with
them. A strike can be damaging and unpopular for a government or organisation and may force them
to accept the group’s demands.

This will be typically done through trade unions like during the winter of discontent in 1978.

Question 9

Use a celebrity spokesperson

Answer 9

Groups may recruit a celebrity spokesperson in order to raise the profile of the group, gain media
attention and attract more support.

Such examples include Jamie Oliver, Joanna Lummley. or Prince William for headsup

Question 10

Digital campaigns

Answer 10

Groups may set up websites to promote their cause and use social media to publicise events and
create viral campaigns.