How significant is the influence which pressure groups have on government? Is there any evidence that they have fared better under New Labour governments?

The first 200 words of this essay...

How significant is the influence which pressure groups have on government? Is there any evidence that they have fared better under New Labour governments?

Name: Jennifer Moore

Matric No: 200314353

Date: 27 November 2005

Programme: BA Social Science

Module: SOCP226 - Introduction to British Politics

Module Leader: Peter Liddell

This essay will outline the significance to which pressure groups have an influence on government and explain how they have fared under New Labour governments.

Whilst the term 'pressure groups' may be relatively new, the concept itself dates back as far as 1787. The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade was led by William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson and successfully campaigned for the abolition of the slave trade. (Jones, 2004, p233)

Pressure groups are formed by a group of people who share a common interest or goal. The intention of the group is to raise the profile or the cause and/or advance it. Unlike political parties, they rarely have a manifesto on a range of policies. Instead they campaign only on specific policies in order to influence public policy formulated by the likes of central or local government. (Grant,