to what extent do pressure groups influence government

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UK politics –      to what extent do pressure groups influence government?

Today in government decision making is not solely undertaken by the party in power. Evidently, parliament makes decisions and can delay proposals, however, government is partly influenced by insider and outsider groups, collectively these are called pressure groups.

Some pressure groups, depending on the circumstances, have more influence than others. For example the CBI, Confederation of British Industry, is an insider group for the Labour government. The prime minister is very keen on having the support of business, thus he seeks out the views of leading business people. For example the P.M appointed Sir Alan sugar as a special business advisor. If the CBI says that it does not want interest rates to rise the government will listen carefully. Due to the fact that the CBI is in close discussion with the government it is called an insider group.

Insider groups do not have marches or demonstrations. Instead they will have regular meetings with the government, either local government, Scottish executive or Westminster level. Through this they are able to establish a relationship between government and the insider group, which will be a constructive and professional. Although the pressure groups and the government may not agree, it does give the pressure groups a chance to be heard. Sometimes insider groups are elevated to the position of stake holder. This occurs when the insider group is seen as a partner, rather than a nuisance. Some pressure groups such as the British medical association have a lot of specialist, professional expertise viewed by the government as stakeholders. For example, if the government was planning to reform the health systems, it would be harmful if the BMI did not support their decision. The BMI has a lot of support form the public as well as the government.  The public is more likely to support the BMI on issues referring to health rather than the government. This was shown in 2001 at the Kidderminster elections.

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The strength of the government’s majority in the House of Commons and the state of the opposition are big factors in affecting the influence of pressure groups. Up until the May 2005 general elections, Tony Blair’s sofa government had a big majority in the H.C. Due to the Kidderminster elections both governments, and the Labour MP’s were not as venerable from activities of pressure groups.

 

Insider pressure groups are less common than outsider groups as many groups feel as though they would not be able to truly voice their opinion in the constraints of the government. These groups ...

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