Parliamentary Law Making - Influences on Parliament (Pressure Groups & Lobbyists) Flashcards
What is the role of a pressure group?
They bring matters they’re interested in, to gov and public attention.
What are cause pressure groups known as?
“Outsider groups” they’re less influential and are unlikely to be consulted so they’re ineffective).
What are examples of cause pressure groups?
Greenpeace – environmental, Amnesty – human rights & ASH – anti-smoking.
What are sectional pressure groups known as and why are they powerful?
“Insider groups”, they’re powerful and effective as they represent large/powerful groups.
what are some examples of Acts passed due to pressure group influence?
League against cruel sport – led to Hunting Act 2004 .
RSPCA – Animal Welfare Act 2006 (treatment of pets).
ASH and British Medical Association led to the banning of smoking in public places.
Liberty campaigned in 2003. successfully campaigned for tail by jury.
What is good about pressure groups being large?
Represent large groups that are bigger than political parties – National Trust has over 2 million members.
What is good about the way pressure groups influence government?
Raise gov awareness of important issues they wouldn’t be aware of, bringing wide range of issues to gov attention as there are many groups.
What is good about pressure groups having expertise?
Have expertise and experience in particular areas that gov may not have and have valuable contributions.
How can pressure groups cause confusion and why is it bad?
Pressure groups can conflict with each other causing confusion. E.g. Countryside Alliance opposing the League Against Cruel Sports.
What is wrong with the oppinions of pressure groups being unrepresentative?
They’re unrepresentative as their opinions may only represent a small minority but they impose their views which can change law.
What is wrong with what pressure groups can resort to, to promote their causes?
Resort to criminal behaviour to promote their cause. E.g. Countryside Alliance and Fathers 4 Justice demonstrated in the HoC.
What is wrong with pressure groups being biased?
They don’t represent an objective argument for anyone to consider. E.g. ASH doesn’t take the needs of smokers into account.
What is a lobbyist?
Try to persuade individual MPs to support their cause can be done by anyone (so is democratic). Can be done professionaly (expertise) or unprofessionaly (ineffective/crime). But can be unrepresentative and biased.
How often are MPs approached by lobbyists weekly?
MPs are approached about 100 times a week (ineffective).
What can be done if the lobbyist is successful?
If successful MPs may ask questions in Plm about an issue or introduce Private members bill.
