Influences on Parliament

Introduction

Parliament does not make law in a vacuum. Numerous external factors shape the legislative agenda, influence the content of Bills, and determine which issues receive parliamentary attention. Understanding these influences is essential for A-Level Law, as it reveals the complex interplay between democracy, politics, and law making.

This lesson examines the key influences on parliamentary law making: pressure groups, the media, public opinion, manifesto commitments, the Law Commission, and the historical influence of the European Union.

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Pressure Groups

A pressure group is an organised group of people who seek to influence government policy or legislation without seeking to gain political power themselves. They are sometimes called "interest groups" or "lobby groups." Pressure groups are a vital part of the democratic process, providing a channel through which citizens can participate in politics between elections.

Types of Pressure Groups

Pressure groups are traditionally classified into two main categories:

Cause (Promotional) Groups

Cause groups promote a particular cause or set of values. Membership is open to anyone who shares those values, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Group	Cause
Greenpeace	Environmental protection
Amnesty International	Human rights
Shelter	Homelessness
Liberty	Civil liberties
RSPCA	Animal welfare

Sectional (Interest) Groups

Sectional groups represent the interests of a particular section of society. Membership is usually restricted to people who belong to that section.

Group	Section represented
British Medical Association (BMA)	Doctors
National Union of Teachers (NUT/NEU)	Teachers
Confederation of British Industry (CBI)	Businesses
National Farmers' Union (NFU)	Farmers
Law Society	Solicitors

Insider and Outsider Groups

A more useful classification for exam purposes distinguishes between insider and outsider groups:

graph TD
    A["Pressure Groups"] --> B["Insider Groups"]
    A --> C["Outsider Groups"]
    B --> D["Consulted by government"]
    B --> E["Access to ministers and civil servants"]
    B --> F["Moderate methods"]
    C --> G["No regular government contact"]
    C --> H["Public campaigns and protests"]
    C --> I["May use direct action"]
    style B fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style C fill:#e74c3c,color:#fff

Insider Groups

Insider groups have regular access to government ministers and civil servants. They are consulted during the policy-making process and may be invited to give evidence to parliamentary committees. Their influence derives from their expertise and their willingness to work within the political system.

Examples:

• The BMA is regularly consulted on health policy
• The NFU has close links with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• The Law Society is consulted on legal reforms

Characteristics of insider groups:

• Recognised as legitimate by government
• Use moderate, respectable methods
• Provide expert knowledge and data
• May have representatives on government advisory bodies

Outsider Groups

Outsider groups do not have regular access to government. They may be excluded because their aims are too radical, because they choose not to engage with the political establishment, or because the government does not recognise them as legitimate stakeholders.

Examples:

• Extinction Rebellion — environmental activism through civil disobedience
• Fathers 4 Justice — fathers' rights, known for publicity stunts
• Stop HS2 — opposition to the HS2 rail project

Characteristics of outsider groups:

• No regular contact with government
• Rely on public campaigns, media attention, protests
• May use direct action or civil disobedience
• Can become insider groups if their cause gains mainstream acceptance

Methods Used by Pressure Groups

Method	Description	Example
Lobbying	Direct contact with MPs, ministers, or civil servants	Law Society lobbying on legal aid cuts
Media campaigns	Using TV, newspapers, social media to raise awareness	Shelter's homelessness campaigns
Petitions	Collecting signatures to demonstrate public support	Online petitions via Parliament's website
Demonstrations	Marches, rallies, public protests	Anti-Iraq War march (2003)
Direct action	Civil disobedience, blockades, occupations	Extinction Rebellion blocking roads
Litigation	Taking legal action to challenge government decisions	Liberty challenging surveillance laws
Sponsoring MPs	Funding MPs who support the group's aims	Trade unions sponsoring Labour MPs
Expert evidence	Providing research and data to committees	BMA evidence to health select committees

Effectiveness of Pressure Groups

The effectiveness of a pressure group depends on several factors:

Factor	More effective	Less effective
Size	Large membership = more votes	Small or niche membership
Finance	Well-funded = better campaigns	Limited resources
Expertise	Specialist knowledge valued by government	Lack of credible evidence
Public sympathy	Cause resonates with voters	Unpopular or controversial aims
Organisation	Professional structure and leadership	Disorganised or fragmented
Government alignment	Aims align with government policy	Aims conflict with government ideology
Media coverage	Positive, sustained media attention	Negative coverage or media fatigue

Examples of Successful Pressure Group Influence

1. Snowdrop Campaign — Following the Dunblane school shooting in 1996, the Snowdrop Campaign collected 750,000 signatures and successfully lobbied for the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997, which banned most handguns in the UK.

2. Jamie Oliver's school meals campaign — Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's campaign for healthier school meals led to increased government funding and new nutritional standards.

3. Campaign for Freedom of Information — This group campaigned for decades, eventually securing the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

4. Gurkha Justice Campaign — Actress Joanna Lumley's campaign led to the government granting settlement rights to Gurkha veterans in 2009.

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Media Influence

The media — including newspapers, television, radio, and increasingly social media — exerts significant influence on the legislative agenda.

How the Media Influences Law Making

1. Agenda setting — The media determines which issues receive public attention. By highlighting certain stories, the media can create pressure for legislative action.

2. Public opinion formation — Media coverage shapes how the public perceives issues, which in turn influences how MPs vote.

3. Investigative journalism — Exposing wrongdoing can create irresistible pressure for new laws.

4. Editorialising — Newspapers with large readerships can campaign directly for or against legislation.

Examples of Media Influence on Legislation