Evaluate the view that think-tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government decisions.
June 2019
Thesis – all 3 have an impact in different ways
Point 1 – think tanks present arguments for polices and legislation, but are removed from the actual
legislative process
Think tanks are public policy research organisations that seek to influence government policy
Feb 2020 – National Institute of Economic and Social Research scrutinised govs Budget
Raised questions about viability of its growth targets that were widely reported in media
Government didn’t necessarily act on it
Left wing think tank The Fabian Society and the Institute for Public Research has almost no influence
on the current Conservative government’s decisions
COUNTER – Think-tanks are actually far more connected to government than they first appear, with
governments often calling on them to aid with legislation
MPs are often directly involved with think-tanks and thus influenced by them – policy exchange is an
example of this – was set up by Conservative MPs, including Nick Boles. The past three Tory PMs have
all spoken at the Policy Exchange
In 2019 Gavin Williamson endorsed the think-tank's academic freedom paper.
Existence of consultation periods – upon implementing laws legalising gay marriage in 2013, the
government set up a 12-week consultation period including religious organisations and gay think-
tanks
LINK – Whilst many think-tanks due to not impact government decisions, those who are politically
connected and wish to do so are often able to
Iain Duncan Smith, founder of think tank Centre of Social Justice. His group had a great influence on
the government and in 2004, he was appointed as the Works and Pensions Secretary – influence of
think tanks on the government
Point 2 – Governments tend to ignore collective organisations who have incompatible views
Governments have a mandate to carry out their policies, collective organisations do not
E.g. Votes at 16 have worked with multiple organisations, such as the Electoral Reform Society and
the British Youth Parliament
However, as a response to the petition they made, the Government confirmed they have no plans to
introduce a lowering voting age of 16 for the General Election which will take place on 2017
Stop the war coalition in 2003,(IRAQ INVASION) Tony Blair gained a majority of 179 and was able to
ignore the protests and was able to continue war preparations
Can conclude that even though millions protested government decisions weren't reversed by the
actions of the organisations and indicates the little impact they have on government decisions.
COUNTER – they don’t always ignore incompatible views – Marriage Act
Coalition 2010-15
For example, during the 2010-15 coalition, helped implement the Marriage (same sex) Act 2013 – the
government were evidently more beneficial in defending gay rights, as the legislation granted them
more equality in practice and not just in theory
Despite not being a traditionally Conservative view, think tanks like Stonewall
Factors such as public support and reputation can force governments to fold. Legal necessity is not
the be all and end all. They can still therefore exert considerable influence over government decisions.
BMA (British Medical Association) managed to pressure the government to increase spending on the
NHS under a plan that would increase spending by 3.4% per annum from 2019 to 2024
June 2019
Thesis – all 3 have an impact in different ways
Point 1 – think tanks present arguments for polices and legislation, but are removed from the actual
legislative process
Think tanks are public policy research organisations that seek to influence government policy
Feb 2020 – National Institute of Economic and Social Research scrutinised govs Budget
Raised questions about viability of its growth targets that were widely reported in media
Government didn’t necessarily act on it
Left wing think tank The Fabian Society and the Institute for Public Research has almost no influence
on the current Conservative government’s decisions
COUNTER – Think-tanks are actually far more connected to government than they first appear, with
governments often calling on them to aid with legislation
MPs are often directly involved with think-tanks and thus influenced by them – policy exchange is an
example of this – was set up by Conservative MPs, including Nick Boles. The past three Tory PMs have
all spoken at the Policy Exchange
In 2019 Gavin Williamson endorsed the think-tank's academic freedom paper.
Existence of consultation periods – upon implementing laws legalising gay marriage in 2013, the
government set up a 12-week consultation period including religious organisations and gay think-
tanks
LINK – Whilst many think-tanks due to not impact government decisions, those who are politically
connected and wish to do so are often able to
Iain Duncan Smith, founder of think tank Centre of Social Justice. His group had a great influence on
the government and in 2004, he was appointed as the Works and Pensions Secretary – influence of
think tanks on the government
Point 2 – Governments tend to ignore collective organisations who have incompatible views
Governments have a mandate to carry out their policies, collective organisations do not
E.g. Votes at 16 have worked with multiple organisations, such as the Electoral Reform Society and
the British Youth Parliament
However, as a response to the petition they made, the Government confirmed they have no plans to
introduce a lowering voting age of 16 for the General Election which will take place on 2017
Stop the war coalition in 2003,(IRAQ INVASION) Tony Blair gained a majority of 179 and was able to
ignore the protests and was able to continue war preparations
Can conclude that even though millions protested government decisions weren't reversed by the
actions of the organisations and indicates the little impact they have on government decisions.
COUNTER – they don’t always ignore incompatible views – Marriage Act
Coalition 2010-15
For example, during the 2010-15 coalition, helped implement the Marriage (same sex) Act 2013 – the
government were evidently more beneficial in defending gay rights, as the legislation granted them
more equality in practice and not just in theory
Despite not being a traditionally Conservative view, think tanks like Stonewall
Factors such as public support and reputation can force governments to fold. Legal necessity is not
the be all and end all. They can still therefore exert considerable influence over government decisions.
BMA (British Medical Association) managed to pressure the government to increase spending on the
NHS under a plan that would increase spending by 3.4% per annum from 2019 to 2024
