1.1.3: Pressure groups and other influences

Why are corporations a concern for democracy?

"Revolving door" process - senior politicians and officials take well-paid jobs in private sector after they leave government service A number of business leaders have been appointed to House of Lords

Give an example of when government attitudes has helped pressure groups in being succesfful

(e.g. National Farmer's Union's links to Derfa helped bring badger cull in 2013). Government will usually listen to groups upon which is relies for specialist knowledge and with whose agenda it sees some common ground

Give examples of when tactics and leadership has helped in pressure group effectiveness

(e.g. RSPCA collaborated with League Against Cruel Sports and Fund for Animal Welfare and secured ban on hunting with dogs in 2004). Knowing which "access points" in the UK to target to apply pressure. EU can also have big impact (e.g. Friends of the Earth ran a long campaign to compel UK to clean beaches as required by the EU)

Give examples of when resources can make a pressure group more effective and when this has not worked

(e.g. RSPCA employs 1600 people, supported by thousands of volunteers and afford to take full page advertisements in newspapers). Pressure group sizes can help persuade government as it shows serious public opinion. This it not always the case, however. (e.g. Campaign for Nuclear disarmament had roughly 110,000 members but Thatcher government ignored its large and well-orchestrated demonstrations as they could rely on passive support of majority of population)

Give examples of when public support has helped pressure groups in being succesfful

(e.g.Snowdrop campaign to ban handguns was successful due to public reaction to Dunblane massacre.) Media coverage can play an important role as well as well-known personality support (e.g. Joanna Lumley's support for retired Gurkha soldiers overturned government ban on their right to live in UK)

For years lobbying was expected to regulate itself. How? How has this changed?

For years, lobbying system was expected to regulate itself with lobbyists able to decide if their names appeared on a public register. Now they must register if their activities include discussing policy, legislation or government contracts with a minister or senior civil servant

What methods might insider pressure groups use? Give an example

Insider groups tend to negotiate quietly behind the scenes (e.g. National Farmers Union offer specialised knowledge in return for influence over policy).

What do people dislike about professional lobbying?

Many people dislike the lack of legitimacy of some professional lobbying activities as influence can be bought if you can afford the lobbyists fees

What are outsider groups? Give an example

Not consulted by government. Objectives may be so far outside political mainstream that the government is unlikely to speak to them (e.g. animal rights protestors try to intimidate laboratories to cease their animal testing). Alternatively, may wish to preserve independence and reputation for ideological purity by keeping government at a distance (e.g. "Occupy" movement organised sit-ins, sees government as closely aligned to capitalist movement against which they are protesting)

Under David Cameron, what did Number 10 say about professional lobbying?

Number 10 denied that lobbying firms change government policy, but stated that companies frequently discuss their concerns with the Business Department or the Treasury. How much influence lobbying really has over government is uncertain

What methods might all pressure groups use?

Pressure groups may also lobby MPs, briefing them on issues or giving evidence to committees (e.g. Lawyers acting for human rights groups Liberty on points of counterterrorism that affect civil liberties). Some may use insider and outsider methods (e.g. BMA enjoys insider status but indicates strike action in 2016 autumn against junior doctor contracts. Later called of strikes due to patent safety concerns)

What are insider groups? Give an example

Rely on contacts with ministers and civil servants to achieve aims. Some have close links with relevant government department (e.g. National Union of Farmers have links with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Tend to have views that are broadly in line with the government's, increasing their leverage. Subdivided into low- and high-profile groups

Give example of a pressure group/movement that was successful at first then failed.

Road hauliers and farmers spearheaded a movement to blockade oil refineries to reduce fuel tax. The first time it was successful as they were able to gather support quickly with little warning and public approval was on their side. They gained a freeze in pries. But the two later attempts failed as they did not attract significant support.

What is the aim of lobbyists?

Seek to gain influence over House of Commons or Lords members, especially when legislation affecting their clients is being considered

What are sectional groups/interest groups and give an example

Seek to promote the interests of an occupation or another group in society (e.g. trade unions). Membership is usually restricted to people who meet certain requirements (e.g. the Law Society is open to solicitors in England and Wales)

Give some information on the Centre for Social Justice

Set up by former Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smith in 2004 to look for solutions for people living in disadvantaged communities. Duncan Smith's appointment to Work and Pensions Secretary in the coalition enabled to implement some of its ideas e.g. Universal Credit

Give an example of when think tanks have had a big impact of government policy

Shift of conservative party thinking in 1970s owed to Thatcher's patronage of right-wing think tanks like Centre for Policy Studies and Adam Smith institute

Do groups sometimes move between insider and outsider status? Give an example

Some groups move between inside and outsider status (e.g. trade unions had access to influence under Labour government but excluded from power under Thatcher government)

How do pressure groups differ from political parties?

They don't usually enter their own candidates at elections and do not want power for themselves. They wish to influence the government to change their ideas or policies.

Who tends to work in a think tank? Give an example

Typically staffed by young ambitious individuals who see their time there as a springboard into politics (e.g. David Miliband went from Institute for Public Policy Research to an advisor to Tony Blair and eventually a Senior Minister in New Labour government)

Give an example of a corporation unsuccessfully lobbying the government

e.g. October 2016, Conservative Party social event attended by Business Secretary Greg Clark, British Soft Drinks association expressed opposition to sugar tax in drinks. However, government persisted with the policy

What are cause groups/promotional groups and give an examples

focused on achieving a particular goal or drawing attention to an issue(s) (e.g. Greenpeace - environmental concerns. Tries to persuade government to adopt "green" causes). Special category of a cause group is one that promotes the interests of a society - usually one that cannot stand up for itself. Members do not belong to the social group for which they campaign (e.g. most housing charity members are not homeless)

What are social movements and give an example

like cause groups but more loosely structured. Some participants may belong to traditional pressure groups whilst others are just moved to take part in a specific protest. Usually politically radical and have a single aim. (e.g. Champs for Climate Action were created for short periods in 2006-10 to protest against Heathrow expansion, coal-fired power stations in Yorkshire and other environmental issues)

How many people are employed in lobbying? How much is spent on it each year?

· Employs around 4000 people · £2 billion spent on it each year

Give some factors that decide pressure groups' effectiveness

· Resources: large membership that pays subscription is likely to have greater financial resources · Tactics and leadership: Experienced and capable leadership is vital · Public support: Pressure groups with public support are more successful than those without or whose methods alienate supporters. · Government attitudes: Insider contacts are often key to success

What have some journalists attempted to do to frame MPs (to do with lobbying)? How does this work in regard to the parliamentary code of conduct?

· Some journalists attempt to entrap MPs with offers or financial rewards · Parliamentary code of conduct bars MPs from accepting money for agreeing to represent a viewpoint

What methods might outsider groups use? Give examples

·Less discreet methods to draw attention ·Exercise influence through email campaigns, petitions, demonstrations, publicity stunts (e.g. BLM obstructed London City Airport in Sep 2016 to gain attention that ethnic minorities affected disproportionately by pollution) ·Direct action is not always peaceful (e.g. 2010 demonstrations against tuition fees - disorderly conduct prosecutions) · Other pressure groups may start legal challenges against policies to which they are opposed (e.g. Countryside Alliance High Court in 2004against ban on fox hunting)

What is the advantage of think tanks? Give an example of one that has a definite influence over government policy. Give a reason why think tanks may be ignored

-Alternative source of ideas to civil service - more time and expertise -Some have definite influence over government policy (e.g. Centre for Social Justice) -Government must make compromises so think tanks are often ignored

What are high-profile insider groups? Give an example

-High-profile groups: supplement their lobbying with use of media to make their case (e.g. Confederation of British Industry)

What are the two broader types of pressure groups (government relationship)?

-Insider Groups -Outsider Groups

What are low-profile insider groups? Give an example

-Low-profile groups: rely on discreet behind the scenes contacts rather than publicity (e.g. Howard League for Penal Reform)

What are the three main types of pressure group?

-Sectional groups/interest groups -Cause groups/promotional groups -Social movement

What can determine pressure group success? How do insider and outsider groups differ in how the public perceives their success?

Communication, willingness of government and public opinion all affects success. insider groups don't tend to publicise their achievements

Give an example of corporations lobbying the government with arguable success

2016 after negotiation with HMRC, Google agreed to pay £130 million in taxes dating back to 2005, however opposition MPs argued this was lenient based on how much profit they made in UK