UK Pressure Groups Flashcards
What is an insider group?
A pressure group that has close ties and contact with government
What is an outsider group?
A pressure group that lacks strong, established links with government
What is an interest group?
A pressure group that exists to primarily defend and advance the specific interests of their members
What is a promotional group?
A pressure group that sets out to achieve a specific set of aims that are not in the direct self-interest of their members
Examples of insider groups
- British Medical Association (BMA)
- National Farmers’ Union (NFU)
Example of a group which has shifted from an insider to outsider group over time
Under Labour governments (until ‘97) trade unions were seen as insider groups, regularly consulted on industrial and economic issues
Example of a trade union’s influence on the Corbyn Labour party
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey was a key Corbyn supporter. Corbyn promised to repeal anti-trade union legislation introduced by the Conservatives
Advantage of being an insider group
- Ability to lobby
- Usually more well resourced and funded
- Invited to take part in public bill committees and select committee hearings
Example of a pressure group on a select committee
The King’s Fund gave evidence to the Health Select Committee inquiry into emergency services and care in 2013
Disadvantages of being an insider group
- Unable to speak out/criticise government
- When their party affiliates are out of office they are powerless
- Those with a vested interest should not be influencing the law for their own favour
Number of National Trust members
Over 5m
Aims of the National Trust
- Preservation of British countryside
- Preserving traditional buildings
- Promoting nature conservation
- Lobbying government on issues such as protecting the greenbelt
How does the National Trust have close links to government?
The former director-general, Helen Ghosh, had been a former civil servant in the Home Office
When has the National Trust spoke out against the government?
In 2011 they came out in opposition of a new planning system making it easier to build on greenfield sites
What is direct action?
The use of strikes, protests, etc. instead of negotiations
Example of direct action
In July 2015, the group Plane Stupid had protesters stand on the runway at Heathrow, leading to the cancellation of 25 flights. They were protesting against the impact of planes on climate change.
Example of an outsider group who also has insider connections
The Howard League who campaign for prisoner rights
Outsider - prisoner rights are a minority opinion, less widely supported
Insider - They are often invited to hearings due to their expert knowledge
What is a holacratic group?
An organisation which rejects formal hierarchical leadership structures
Advantages of being an outsider group
- Easier for them to make the headlines
- Direct action shows a deep commitment to the cause
- Freedom to criticise the government
- Have the potential to become insider groups
Disadvantages of being an outsider group
- Often get bad press
- Direct action can result in legal difficulties
- Little ability to influence government policy
- Many never become insider groups
Example of a holacratic pressure group
Extinction rebellion
Aims of Extinction Rebellion
To get the government to declare a climate emergency and act accordingly - ideally net zero by 2025
Example of direct action taken by Extinction Rebellion
In April 2019, protesters glued themselves to train carriages, affecting around 500,000 commuters
What is pluralism?
The concept that democratic politics should include numerous groups all competing for power and influence on a roughly equal basis, resulting in a wide dispersal of power
Arguments that pressure groups are elitist
- Many groups with close ties to government use their insider status to influence government policy, even though they are unelected
- The groups themselves are undemocratic
- Pressure groups with wealth have great influence compared to groups supporting marginalised communities
Arguments that pressure groups are pluralist
- They promote a wide variety of views, which is healthy in a democracy
- Pressure groups are voices for many marginalised groups who do not have much democratic representation
- Most big pressure groups have close ties to their membership’s views
Arguments that pressure groups help democracy
- Provide forums for political participation (e.g. through direct action)
- Represent many viewpoints which are not represented in Westminster
- Many groups are democratically structured (e.g. unions will confirm strike action through a member vote)
Arguments that pressure groups hinder democracy
- Many people join pressure groups but do not actually join participation events
- Lack a democratic mandate
- Under less responsibility than elected MPs to share unbiased information
How many people attended the 2003 Stop the War rally in London?
1 million
Example of inner pressure group squabbling
A radical sub-group of Extinction Rebellion, called Beyond Politics, formed in 2020
Factors which influence pressure group success
- Achievability of aims
- Insider/outsider status
- Ideas parallel to government direction
- Membership size
- Financial resources
- Media support
Example of a policy being dropped after large public backlash
In 2000, the government dropped the proposed plan on fuel duty increases due to public pressure, despite it costing them £2bn
Example of a celebrity endorsement causing policy change
Marcus Rashford campaigned for the government to continue free school meal vouchers during the pandemic
Example of corporations lobbying the government
During Brexit negotiations, motor manufacturers lobbied for a trade deal which would maintain the much of the single market
Who must approve former MPs working for lobbying firms?
the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
What was the “cash for access” scandal?
In 2015, a number of MPs were caught asking parliamentary questions in return for payment
Example of positive lobbying
Lobbying firm Morgan Roberts campaigned for the introduction of a immunisation programme against cervical cancer in 2008
What are think tanks?
Groups specifically set up to undertake policy research and development
Which think tank did Lord Sainsbury donate to in 2016?
Progress (centrist/Labour supporting)
Donated £216,000
Example of a right-wing think tank
Institute for Economic Affairs
Example of a left-wing think tank
Fabian Society
Example of a non-partisan think tank
Centre for Social Justice
Set up in 2004 to look for answers to issues such as poverty
Example of a think tank making a policy change
The Centre for Social Justice published a report in 2018 calling for the government to scrap plans for five new women’s’ prisons. Government followed through with their report.
Why has traditional media become less influential?
- Newspaper reading halved since 90s
- Same companies own many newspapers (Express and Mirror owned by same company)
- Newspapers tend to back winners
How do pressure groups use the media?
Many pressure groups try and adopt a ‘centrist’ approach to get more media links
