Pressure Group Strategies and Methods Flashcards
Access Points
Refers to range of decision makers that groups can try and influence.
Examples of Access Points (5 examples)
1) Whitehall Government Departments
2) Parliament
3) The EU
4) The Courts
5) Regional Parliaments
“Refers to range of decision makers that groups can try and influence”
Access Points
Contact with “Whitehall” Government Departments
-Method
Consultation and negotiation with ministers, aides and civil servants.
Contact with “Whitehall” Government Departments
-Why might it be useful?
Insider groups get direct influence. This method is open to those who can offer expertise.
Contact with “Whitehall” Government Departments
-Who is this method open to?
Those who can offer expertise.
Contact with “Whitehall” Government Departments
-Drawbacks (2)
1) Can’t be too publicly critical of government.
2) Negotiations mean compromise.
Contact with “Whitehall” Government Departments
-4 examples of insider groups contact with “Whitehall” Government Departments
1) BMA under most governments
2) Institute of Directors and CBI under Thatcher and Cameron
3) Road Hauliers Association under Major
4) Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) under Blair
Lobbying “Westminster”/Parliament
-Method
If a group can’t influence government, they may try backbench MPs who pass bills and who can put pressure on party leaderships. Peers in Lords can delay a bill for up to a year.
Lobbying “Westminster”/Parliament
-Who can/wants to use this method? Why useful?
Any group may use this method. MPs have become more rebellious in the modern era. While the Lords which has less party discipline than the Commons and no one party majority has been more ready to challenge governments.
Lobbying “Westminster”/Parliament
-Which groups are more likely to succeed?
Groups that can afford lobbyists with experience/contacts within Westminster are more likely to succeed.
