The next most important non direct protest of an ‘insider’ pressure group is influencing Private Member’s Bills. Pressure groups can try to influence one of the twenty backbench MPs who are drawn from a ballot to agree with their aims and put forward a Private Member’s Bill in their favour. This is a very good way of the groups aims being recognised if put through on the bill. However, only twelve of the twenty chosen usually have parliamentary time to do so. Also it is hard for your proposition to be picked as the MPs have many to choose from.
Following on, the next most important ‘insider’ tactic is backbench committees. Pressure groups can also seek to exercise indirect influence via the party subject committees or all-party subject committees. They believe that they can persuade backbench MPs who may be called to talk to agree with their views. This can help increase recognition and support for their cause. On the other hand, the limited power of backbench MPs to influence governmental policy at all is very limited
‘Outsider’ groups also have tactics which are non- direct. The most important of which is using the media. Pressure groups can advertise their cause on television or the radio and other means. They can also attract the attention of the media which would raise awareness. For example environmental groups very effectively use the media. They can also have a website and attract new members. Although the amount a pressure group can use the media depends on how wealthy they are as it can be very expensive.
The next most important tactic is the use of a celebrity or well known figure to lead or be an important member of your group. This is very good at raising awareness for the groups as the followers of the celebrity will become apparent to their cause. It can also make the issues raised in the pressure seem more important and urgent to the public. For example Anthony Warell Thompson is a well known figure in the group ‘FOREST’ (Freedom Of the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco). The downside to this tactic is that the celebrity could be well known for the wrong reasons and could draw unwanted attention to the pressure group.
The final most important tactic of pressure groups is creating petitions. Pressure groups
can make a petition about a proposed bill or idea which they believe would help their
cause. It can be very good at raising awareness of the pressure group and their aims as if
they can gain enough signatures then people will realise that it is a more major issue.
Although, if there is a petition made and there is low popularity in the number of
signatures it receives then it may make the pressure groups appear weak and ineffective.
Overall, on the balance of the points made it seems that even though there are some
drawbacks in the non-direct methods they are generally very effective in helping the
pressure group to prosper in its' aims.