Influences on
Parliament
, Pressure Groups
These are groups of people who all share the same common interest of bringing attention to certain issues
in the law in order to get Parliament to reform the certain area in that law they don't agree with. They will
use petitions and lobby MPs. They can meet with an MP in the lobbies they use to get to the House of
Commons. If they are successful, it could persuade the MP to ask questions in Parliament on the particular
issue. The MP can also use the Private Members Bill session to propose a new Bill to reform the law that
the pressure group wanted to be changed. There are two types of pressure groups:
Sectional or interest pressure groups
They represent interest of a particular groups of people, mostly work groups and professionals. They aim to further
the benefits for their particular section of society e.g. Trade unions who represent and protect the rights of
workers. Some of these groups are professional associations, will makes Parliament more inclined to consult with
them before introducing a Bill that can affect their interests. Pressure groups have actually worked in changing
certain laws such as the ban on smoking in public spaces in 2007 due to effective lobbying by the British Medical
Association. Most sectional pressure groups are insider groups as they have direct contact with government
ministers and Parliament.
Cause pressure groups
They promote a particular cause or belief to Parliament e.g. Environmental groups like Greenpeace and groups the
protect human rights like Amnesty international. These groups are mostly outsider groups as they don’t have direct
contact with the government which results in cause groups needing to use direct actions to promote their cause.
Sometimes they don't have to be in a large groups. Jamie Oliver and his healthier meals in school initiative is a
perfect example of how one person’s campaign can lead to changes in the law.
Parliament
, Pressure Groups
These are groups of people who all share the same common interest of bringing attention to certain issues
in the law in order to get Parliament to reform the certain area in that law they don't agree with. They will
use petitions and lobby MPs. They can meet with an MP in the lobbies they use to get to the House of
Commons. If they are successful, it could persuade the MP to ask questions in Parliament on the particular
issue. The MP can also use the Private Members Bill session to propose a new Bill to reform the law that
the pressure group wanted to be changed. There are two types of pressure groups:
Sectional or interest pressure groups
They represent interest of a particular groups of people, mostly work groups and professionals. They aim to further
the benefits for their particular section of society e.g. Trade unions who represent and protect the rights of
workers. Some of these groups are professional associations, will makes Parliament more inclined to consult with
them before introducing a Bill that can affect their interests. Pressure groups have actually worked in changing
certain laws such as the ban on smoking in public spaces in 2007 due to effective lobbying by the British Medical
Association. Most sectional pressure groups are insider groups as they have direct contact with government
ministers and Parliament.
Cause pressure groups
They promote a particular cause or belief to Parliament e.g. Environmental groups like Greenpeace and groups the
protect human rights like Amnesty international. These groups are mostly outsider groups as they don’t have direct
contact with the government which results in cause groups needing to use direct actions to promote their cause.
Sometimes they don't have to be in a large groups. Jamie Oliver and his healthier meals in school initiative is a
perfect example of how one person’s campaign can lead to changes in the law.
