UK ST3: Pressure Groups Flashcards
intro
Some would argue that the most effective way for pressure groups to influence the government’s (gov.) decisions is by responding to gov. consultations. However, it can be argued that starting or signing petitions and lobbying are also effective methods. Ultimately, this response will demonstrate why starting or signing a petition is perhaps the most influential method available to pressure groups.
para 1 - KU
One way that pressure groups can influence gov. decision making is by starting or signing a petition. This is because petitions are commonly started by pressure groups to demand action from the gov. The more people that sign a petition, the more influential it can be as the gov. may worry about upsetting the signatories, who could be future supporters for them.
para 1 - example
For example, in 2019, the UK gov. supported the introduction of Finn’s Law after the Finn’s Law Group received over 130,000 signatures in a petition. This law gave greater protection to police dogs and horses after the police dog, Finn, was stabbed.
para 1 - A
This shows that petitions are effective at influencing gov. decision making as it shows that if the cause a pressure group is backing is uncontroversial, they can be extremely influential (i.e can lead to new laws being passed in the name of their cause) as the gov. are more likely to listen to them and act. Also, if a petition garners a lot of signatures, the gov. will have to think carefully before rejecting it as it would likely gain a lot of attention from the media, which could upset the public and lead to them not voting for the governing party in future elections.
para 1 - arent always practical/in govs interest KU
However, petitions are only partly effective at influencing gov. decision making as some petitions aren’t always practical or in the interest of the gov. This is because the gov. may decide to reject the petition, or not respond to it at all as they might feel that there won’t be repercussions for them if they don’t respond to the petition’s demands.
para 1 - arent always practical/in govs interest example
For example, the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) pressure group first tried to use a petition (before changing tactics and lobbying gov. ministers) to make Scottish education more LGBTI+ inclusive but the gov. rejected the petition while supporting the campaign.
para 1- E
Overall, petitions are the most successful method used by pressure groups as, although they force a ‘yes or no’ response from the gov. who might be generally supportive of the group’s cause but have to reject for technical reasons, petitions are the most effective method because they raise public awareness of issues and signifies public opinion to the gov. which then influences the decisions they make as if they upset the public by not listening to their demands they will likely lose supporters, and therefore voters, which means they won’t win the next election, which they don’t want.
para 2 - KU
Another way pressure groups can influence gov. decision making is consultations. This is because the gov. will often seek out the views of organisations who might have expert knowledge on the changes that the gov. is proposing. The response it receives from these organisations can influence the choices the gov. makes, especially if the response indicates that a specific issue might be popular or controversial.
para 2 - example
For example, the Scottish gov. recently consulted on tougher penalties for people who harm wildlife. The Law Society, a sectional/insider pressure group, responded with their experience and the proposal became law in 2020.
para 2 - A
This shows that consultations are effective at influencing gov. decision making as the gov. are likely to take on the suggestions of pressure groups that are made up of experts if their expertise is related to the issue being consulted on e.g lawyers on legal bills. Consultations are also effective as they give pressure groups an active role in making decisions around legislation which can ensure that the final version of a law is more beneficial for their cause. Consultations allow pressure groups to advocate for public interest which will then influence the decisions the gov. makes and also enables pressure groups to hold the gov. accountable for their actions
para 2 - views can have no influence Ku
However, consultations are only partly effective as pressure groups’ views could have no influence at all on gov. decision making. This is because although the gov. might issue a consultation, it doesn’t mean they have to accept the responses they receive or act on them. A gov. might consult to make it look like it takes pressure groups views into account, but in actuality it may have already made up its mind on the issue.
para 2 - views can have no influence example
For example, recently the UK gov. consulted on letting disabled people vote electronically, then took a year to respond by rejecting the idea despite the Royal National Institute for the Blind supporting it.
para 2 - E
Overall, consultations are not as effective as petitions because the gov. can easily ignore the opinions of consultations despite the fact that those responding to consultations have specific expert knowledge on the issue being consulted on. Petitions could be seen as more effective than consultations as often the gov. values public opinion over professional expertise. This is because the public are the people voting to keep the governing party in Parliament, so they may be more likely to make decisions based on what the public wants in order to keep their position of power rather than what experts have told them.
para 3 - KU
A final way pressure groups can influence gov. decision making is lobbying. This is when pressure groups meet with members of the gov. directly in an attempt to try and gain support for the group/the group’s cause. These face to face discussions allow for negotiations to take place, compromise to be found and a way forward that pleases both sides.
para 3 - example
For example, in 2023 the Bereaved Parents for Online Safety got a commitment from the gov. to change the Data Bill going through parliament to give more power to coroners and families investigating the death of a loved one that may have involved social/online media.
para 3 - A
This shows that lobbying is effective in influencing gov. decision making because when pressure groups engage with the gov. and parliament directly they can spend time persuading them to support their issues. Lobbying can be very effective because it is more difficult to reject people in person, especially if they are campaigning publicly in parliament as it can gain a lot of media attention, meaning the gov. have to think carefully before they ignore people lobbying them if they want to look good to voters.
para 3 - isn’t always successful Ku
However, lobbying is only party effective at influencing gov. decision making as it isn’t always successful. This is because if the issue the group is campaigning for is one that the gov. is against, it can be extremely difficult to get access to members of the gov. directly. This is because their diaries are protected and often they might be too busy with other work to meet with a pressure group. The gov. can also change its mind about what they have promised a pressure group if it wants when it feels there may be less attention on it.
para 3 - isn’t always successful example
For example, in late 2023 the UK gov. retracted its support for letting families and investigators have access to children’s data and stated they could only gain access if they had taken their own lives - not if they had been murdered.
para 3 - E
Overall, lobbying is not the most effective method used by pressure groups as although the gov. may have promised the group something, it can easily go back on its word later. Also, only some viewpoints are highlighted by lobbyists which means that not all arguments are being considered and the public also doesn’t know what is discussed during these face to face meetings. Whereas, petitions are more effective as anyone can participate in them and many issues can be highlighted. Also, if a petition is successful (i.e gains over 100,000 signatures) then the public can know about what was discussed in parliament as the debates are free to watch.
conclusion
As set out above consultations and lobbying are both effective ways of influencing gov. decision making. Consultations are effective because the gov. are likely to take on the suggestions of pressure groups that are made up of experts if their expertise is related to the issue being consulted on e.g lawyers on legal bills. Lobbying is effective because when pressure groups engage with the gov. and parliament directly they can spend time persuading them to support their issues. However, as argued, it is clear that petitions is the most influential method available to pressure groups because they raise public awareness of issues and signifies public opinion to the gov. which then influences the decisions they make as if they upset the public by not listening to their demands they will likely lose supporters, and therefore voters, which means they won’t win the next election, which they don’t want.
