Pressure groups
Pressure groups are organisations whose aim is to campaign for changes in the law or new legislation
in specific areas and influence decision makers. Some may be large international groups such as
Greenpeace and others may be small local campaigns such as protest over plans to close a local
school.
Types
Insider Pressure Groups
Some pressure group aim is to influence government by being insider pressure groups. For example
the BMA will give the government advice about the NHS and the government ask for it. The National
Farmers' Union will be asked for expert advice
Outsider Pressure Groups
Outsider pressure groups such as Fathers for Justice are outside pressure groups as the government
does not ask them to be involved in policy making. Outsider pressure groups normally use more
extreme ways of getting their point across.
Sectional Pressure Groups
Some pressure groups aim to protect members of a particular group. These groups are known as
'sectional pressure groups'. The British Medical Association represents the views of doctors and is only
open to doctors. They campaign on issues which affect members and can threaten strike to pressurize
the government.
Cause Pressure Groups- Single issue or range of issues
Single Issue = Ghurka Justice campaign in 2009 was to allow ex soldiers who had fought for Britain to
live here. Membership of cause pressure groups is open to anyone who support the cause.
Multi – issue - Countryside Alliance works to promote rural life, hunting and shooting.
Mumsnet launched campaign to stop supermarkets selling Lads' Mags in the sight of children e.g.
Nuts/Loaded. Also, 'Let Girls Be Girls' to stop selling childrens's products which emphasise sexuality.
Greenpeace campaign about a range of issues to do with the environment
Why have them?
1. To use combined strength of many members to have more influence in the decision making process.
To give people a stronger voice by having many people fighting together for the same thing.
2. Help to inform government and ensures interests and views of public are considered in policy thereby
improve quality of policy making. E.g. Insider groups such as AA / CBI/ BMA .
3. Allow people the opportunity to participate in democracy. By being involved in social change without
necessarily joining a political party. General elections only take place every 5 years, pressure groups
allow people to show the government how they feel during this. Many feel disillusioned with politics,
especially after the 2011 expenses MP scandal. E.g. Stop the War Coalition is a pressure group let the
government know that people were against UK troops in Iraq, Afghanistan
4. Represent specific sections of public or claim to represent best interests of community as a whole.
Help the Aged to help elderly. Represent specific groups - sectional groups. E.g. BMA
5. Educate and inform public about politically important issues. E.g. Stop the War Coalition, Ghurka
campaign, Mumsnet, Let Girls Be Girls
6. Tension release- provide outlet for feelings significant sections fell very strongly about. Opposition to
2003 Iraq war, hunting with dogs, airport expansion etc.
5.The aim of some pressure groups is to defend their interests in the face of another pressure group.
For example the RAC is a pressure group which fights for better road and conditions for drivers such as
lower petrol prices. However the purpose of Campaign for Better Transport is to reduce road usage.
Describe in detail the methods used by pressure groups to achieve their aims
1. One style is publicity stunts These are normally done by 'outsider' pressure groups. These are
ones which the government do not invite to help them with decision making or to act as expert
witnesses in committees. Publicity stunts are used as they may get local and national media attention.
 Members of Plane Stupid a pressure group against aviation expansion chained themselves to a
wheel of a plane in Manchester airport to prevent it taking off.
 Fathers for Justice who want better rights for fathers threw condoms filled with purple flour at
the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons.
2. Method pressure groups use petitions, these call for action by the government or decision makers.
This means they will collect signatures of people who agree with their cause and present this to the
government. This pressurizes the government as it is clear there is a lot of support for it. Petitions can
be on paper or social media sites like twitter. E-petitions on the UK parliament website will be discussed
if 100,000 people sign.
 The Gurhka’s justice campaign in 2009 to let ex soldiers who fought for Britain presented
hundreds of thousands of signatures to parliament.
(They have the right to petition however the responsibility not to falsify signatures)
3. One method is lobbying, groups contact MP’s and representatives in UK or councillors to draw
attention to their campaign. They will ask for public support from their MP. The MP might raise the
petition personally in parliament, for example in a debate. By lobbying they will try to persuade the
representative to vote the preferred way in parliament when it is discussed.
4. They can organise public protests to make people aware of their cause. This might be a march or
demonstration or rally. They are a good way of making local or national news and so are a good way of
getting publicity and getting support. Normally in high profile areas e.g.
 Illegal - Greenpeace 2012 shut down 74 Shell petrol stations in London and Edinburgh to
protest about oil drilling in the Arctic. 24 arrests in total.
 Protest against the bedroom tax / involvement in Syria in George Square in Glasgow
(Have the right to protest- but responsibility to ensure that it stays legal and peaceful)
5. Organise campaigns to raise awareness, this might include putting up posters, handing out leaflets
or organizing meetings. Media is often used, appearing on radio or tv shows such as Question Time.
Adverts can be put in newspapers. Greenpeace, a pressure group for environmental issues pays for
large billboards and newspaper adverts to win support or get people to lobby their MP.
(Right to promote cause but not allowed to tell lies or slander to persuade people to support their
cause)
For Pressure Groups
Can put forward views for people who feel
politicians don't represent them
Allow people to participate in democracy
Educate the public by providing them with
information to let them make informed decisions
Against Pressure Groups
Some take action which breaks the law or
damages property. E.g. Plane Stupid
Not elected so should not be allowed to influence
govt decisions
Public increasingly joining pressure groups rather
than interest in parties and voting. Means election
results less democratic.