Pressure Groups

1. Pressure Groups How much can they influence decision making?

2. Pressure groups There are an increasing number of sophisticated pressure groups in the UK who aim to influence political decision making. Thanks to developments such as Freedom of Information laws, the litigation culture, the internet, social networking and a 24/7 media, pressure groups are aware of their power. They are becoming increasingly strategic and professional in their operations.

3. The smaller a Government party’s majority is in the House of Commons, the greater chance there is that pressure groups can have an influence. Likewise, a Government with poor opinion poll ratings and backbenchers with fragile minorities will be more vulnerable to pressure group campaigns. Balance of power in Parliament

4. Outsider groups are those whose aims do not enjoy the support of the Government. They tend to adopt media based, high profile stunts to capture public attention. Governments do not wish to be seen to be backing down to outsider groups’ demands. Outsider Groups Outsider group: Stop The War Coalition

5. The left leaning pressure group 38 Degrees uses legal and modern methods of communication to achieve its aims. It has been involved in numerous campaigns and has achieved success during its short 2 year existence. Outsider groups: 38 degrees Campaigned against closure of NHS Direct in England. The Government denied that subsequent reprieve was down to their campaign. Campaigned against tax avoidance challenging George Osborne’s record on challenging this issue. Facebook petition campaign may have influenced the Coalition government to change its policy over forestry sell offs Kay Burley interviews David Babbs

6. By contrast, insider groups have the support and attention of Government. Government will often approach them for advice. They will often have long standing and regular discussions with Government. Insider Groups PM Gordon Brown praises the CBI

7. Some groups can go both inside and out, depending on the ideology of the Government of the day. Trade unions were more “inside” under the Labour Governments but are likely to have less influence under the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition. Likewise, while New Labour was very pro-business, business groups such as the Institute of Directors will, instinctively, feel more “in the loop” with a Conservative Prime Minister. Inside and Outside

8. Example: Gurkha Justice Campaign • The Ghurka campaign was a textbook case of effective pressure group campaigning; • It had a popular cause • A media savvy and articulate figurehead in Joanna Lumley • An unpopular Government and divided Cabinet • And a hapless Government Minister! Joanna Lumley runs rings round Government

9. Tactics: Lobbying MPs/MSPs Pressure groups need to be strategic about who they seek to apply pressure to and what they hope to achieve. The TPA has been able to use websites such as Theyworkforyou.com and Freedom of Information laws to put pressure on MPs to reform Parliament. It did not put pressure on the Scottish Parliament as there hasn’t been the same level of abuse of public money. Taxpayers Alliance ad

10. Sometimes, especially for outsider groups, a mass demonstration is important. The aim will obviously to change government policy but given that this may be unlikely, the purpose of a mass demonstration may be to boost the morale of pressure group members, as well as gain media attention. Stop the War Coalition admit it’s demonstrations didn’t stop the invasion of Iraq, but believes it may have had more long term success in putting pressure on Government to be more accountable e.g. the inquiries into the war and also perhaps in making future military interventions less likely. Tactics: Mass Demonstrations

11. Over ½ million people demonstrated in London earlier this year over the cuts and austerity measures imposed by the coalition. Ed Miliband was one of the speakers at the event claiming that he wanted politicians to reconnect with the public. The mass demonstration won’t stop the cuts but it demonstrates strength of feeling against both the Conservatives and the Lib Dems – which can translate into a substantial number of votes. Repercussions for Conservative and Lib Dem candidates were felt in the 2011 English council and Scottish Parliament elections. Tactics: Mass Demonstrations TUC Rally 26th March 2011

12. UK Uncut was formed in 2010 to campaign against tax avoidance and public sector cuts. Their “MO” is to target companies who practice tax avoidance policies and conduct sit-down protests in their premises. They have also organised mass protests against banks across the whole of the UK. UK Uncut advocate peaceful direct action but some of their protests have been hijacked by anarchist protestors, using ‘black bloc’ tactics leading to conflict with the police. Activist ‘Jonnie Marbles’ was responsible for throwing a custard pie at Rupert Murdoch during the recent select committee hearings. Direct action : uk uncut UK Uncut & the Black Bloc

13. Tactics: strikes Thousands of public sector workers went on strike on 30th June 2011 over cuts and changes to pensions. Four trade unions were involved, including three teaching unions and other public sector workers including the prison service and immigration staff. More strikes are planned. The government has said that pension talks are “on-going”. Striking public sector workers

14. “I have lived in the little borough of Hillingdon all my life. If the expansion goes ahead my whole family history will be under concrete” Linda McCutcheon (61), secretary of the No Third Runway Action Group Ad hoc: Heathrow While some pressure groups expect to be around for a long time, others are formed on an ad hoc basis for a single, short term issue. E.g. NOTRAG. BAA ultimately decided not to apply for a 3rd runway at Heathrow airport. Victory for NOTRAG?

15. Hacked Off’s membership comprises lawyers, journalists & victims of phone hacking. The launch of the group coincided with the breaking of the News International scandal. Their remit is to ensure that any inquiries into phone hacking uncover the truth, highlighting ensuring that victims are fully represented. A number of changes have been sent to the government for consideration. Ad hoc: hacked off

16. Social Networking Campaigns Increasingly, pressure groups like the aforementioned 38 Degrees are using social networking sites to build support for their cause. Hope Not Hate is using Facebook to organise anti BNP activities. The influence of social networking has also been acknowledged on the decision to close the NOTW, as advertisers began to pull out of appearing in the paper. This has been partly attributed to groups such as Liberal Democracy conducting Facebook petitions and twitter campaigns. It has been described as ‘a powerful illustration of how consumers and pressure groups now use social media to put pressure on brands’. Hope Not Hate 2009 campaign

17. E petitions Ordinary members of the public can change the law by organising e-petitions. A popular e petition this year has been the one to reintroduce hanging! Are e-petitions a useful opportunity for pressure groups to change the law or a convenient tool for Government to head off protest? The last Labour government shelved the e-petitions system after one demanded the resignation of Gordon Brown, attracting over 100,000 signatures.