PARTICIPATION They offer an alternative means of political participation for those who are uninterested in the main political parties, or who feel that their vote is wasted at elections due to FPTP. Only 24.4% of the electorate voted for Conservative candidates in the...
INEQUALITY Some groups are far more influential than others – more status/links/money – can amplify the interests of the wealthy and lead to tyranny of the minority. Groups with insider status are more influential e.g., the BMA and the Institute of Directors...
INFLUENCE There are many opportunities for them to influence the government/parliament. They can visit local MPs during their constituency surgery hours and encourage them to raise certain arguments in a debate, or to introduce a particular PMB. The government...
GOVERNMENT Governments are unlikely to be neutral and will favour donors and groups supporting their agenda. While the UK certainly does have a large number of pressure groups competing for influence, it is arguably inevitable that groups pursuing aims that are in...
LOBBYING Groups meet with politicians/civil servants to persuade them to adopt their ideas. Groups with insider status are likely to be consulted on government policy if they are sources of expert information and can provide a reliable and responsible sounding board...
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE/DIRECT ACTION Some direct action is legal (e.g. trade union strikes), but some is illegal (e.g. environmental protesters blocking access to tracking sites in 2017). Direct action in the age of rapid communication, has become a much more popular and...
AIMS The Living Wage Foundation has been hugely influential, with the Government now implementing a new ‘National Living Wage’ for adults over 25. However, the campaign did not start with the lofty aim of immediately raising wages across the entire country - it began...