uk politics Flashcards
pressure groups essay
P- one way pressure groups influence decision makers is through INSIDER GROUPS
E- insider groups have the support and attention of the government, and the government will often approach them for advice and have long standing and regular discussions
Example?
- For example, in 2019 after providing evidence to the government’s Low Pay Commission, the CBI were successful in limiting an increase in the Living Wage to £8.67 per hour rather than the £9.35 proposed by the government
PRESSURE GROUPS - INSIDER GROUPS
R- However, Insider groups are only trying to persuade the government and the Government does not have to listen to them
Example?
- For example, the CBI campaigned against leaving the EU, warning that a no deal Brexit could cost the UK economy £100bn and one million jobs. Despite this Boris Johnson’s 2019 election campaign was focused on ‘Getting Brexit Done’
PRESSURE GROUPS- ILLEGAL METHODS
P- Some pressure groups engage in illegal methods in order to put pressure on the government.
E- Some illegal methods used by some pressure groups include, violent protests, blockades and sit-ins, kidnapping and scaling public buildings. Many feel conventional methods don’t work
Example?
For example, climate activists took part in 2 weeks of protests during Extinction rebellion. Protesters did things such as glue themselves to structures, and police made 480 arrests.
PRESSURE GROUPS- ILLEGAL METHODS
R- the government will not want to encourage illegal behaviour and so are unlikely to work with these groups
example?
This is illustrated in a tweet by MP Grant Shapps: “We won’t tolerate reckless behaviour on motorways or ports… Living in a democracy everyone is entitled to protest, but that doesn’t extend to closing roads and ruining livelihoods.
PRESSURE GROUPS- CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT/FUNDING
P/E- Celebrity endorsement can bring increased public support and media attention
Example?
Footballer Marcus Rashford has been an ambassador of Fare Share since march 2020. He has helped raise money for millions of meals for children and families and raised awareness of child hunger in the UK.
PRESSURE GROUPS- CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENT/FUNDING
P/E- Funding can be used to invest in an high profile media campaign, professional lobbyists and even access to ministers
example?
Ministers Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind brag to business about their political contacts.
PRESSURE GROUPS CONCLUSION
As set out above, … and …. Are both effective ways of influencing the
government when it is making decisions because….. However, as argued, it is clear that …. Is the most
influential method available to pressure groups because….
PRESSURE GROUPS- PETITIONS
P/E- Pressure groups get members of the public to sign these to show their support for a particular cause or action , can in some cases lead to changes in the law, shows there is widespread support for the pressure group
example?
A- Shows support for a cause, trump will know he is vastly unwelcome
more than 1 million people signed a petition calling for President Trump’s invitation for his first official state visit in 2017 to the UK to be revoked
PRESSURE GROUPS- PETITIONS
R/E- However although it garners attention for a cause petitions are not a very effective method as it is rare they lead to actual changes in the law.
example?
There was a petition to give the meningitis B vaccine to all children, not just newborn babies, that got over 800 thousand signatures, that was debated but the outcome unsuccessful.
PARLIMENTARY EXECUTIVES- SCRUTINY IN COMMITTEE BY MPS
P- Parliment can scrutinise the PM and their giovernment through work of parlimentary committees
example?
The science and technology select committee investigated whether the government’s decision to allow Chinese mobile phone company Huawei access to the UK’s 5G telecommunications network was a threat to national security
PARLIMENTARY EXECUTIVEA- SCRUTINEE IN COMMITTEE BY MPS
R/E- However some question the effectiveness of committee scrutiny due to the fact the governing party has a greater number of committee chairs
Example?
following the 2019 general election conservatives were entitled to 16 chairs, Labour were given 9 and th SNP were given 2
PARLIMENTARY EXECUTIVES_ SCRUTINY BY THE LORDS
P/E- Parliaments can hold the Government to account through the HoL the second chamber of parliament.
example?
when Theresa May convinced the hol to support her article 50 brexit bill it failed to get the supportof hol who passed it back demanding 2 amendments to be made; 1: garuntee of rights for EU citizens in the UK, 2: ensure parliament had a vote on any future EU deal
PARLIMENTARY EXECUTIVES- SCRUTINY BY THE LORDS
R- However some argue hol lacks democratic legitimacy, and therefore lacks the ability to provide effective scrutiny of the government
E- Unlike hoc hol not democratically elected by citizebs, therefore attempt not to obstruct new laws as to not be viewed as undemocratic by media or public
example?
When hol demanded amendments be made to Theresa May’s brexit bill some sections of british media lambasted it for being undemocratic and accused it of deliberately trying to block the democratic will of the british people
