Methods of Influencing Government: Pressure Groups, Petitions, and Elections

Vocabulary flashcards covering pressure groups, petitions, political party membership, and electoral systems in the UK and Scotland.

Insider pressure groups

Groups whose interests are closely aligned with the government, often well-funded with links to multiple parties, and regularly consulted to directly influence policy.

Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

An insider pressure group regularly consulted on policy by the government that worked alongside ministers when arguing for the UK to remain in the European Union.

Outsider pressure groups

Groups not regularly consulted by the government that rely on winning over public opinion through militant, publicity-seeking campaigning, law-breaking, or promoting radical policy agendas.

Extinction Rebellion

An outsider pressure group that organized protests against renewed government investment in fossil fuels, experiencing declining popularity due to public dissatisfaction with their direct action.

Green Party

A political party that applied pressure regarding climate issues after growing from thousands to hundreds of thousands of members across a span of $3$ years.

Reform UK

A smaller political party that gained significant membership but lacked influence because smaller parties are not near to governing, meaning governments prioritize votes over member numbers.

Petitions

A formal measure of public sentiment designed to raise awareness among politicians, amplify public voices, and demonstrate how many people support a specific cause.

Collectivist power

The united pressure generated when a large group combines protests and petitions, signaling to government members that failing to address concerns could carry electoral consequences.

Time for Inclusive Education

A campaign group that utilized petitions and public campaigning to successfully make Scotland one of the first countries in the world to introduce LGBT inclusive education.

Revoke Article 50 E-Petition (2019)

A record-breaking parliamentary e-petition that gathered six million signatures to remain in the EU, but failed to force legislative change because petitions are non-binding.

UK General Election

An election generally held every four years to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons.

Scottish Parliament election

An election generally held every four years to elect Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

First Past the Post

The voting system used in UK General Elections to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons.

Additional Member System

The voting system used in Scottish Parliament elections to elect Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

Safe seat

A constituency where a specific party or candidate is guaranteed to win, meaning voters have little leverage and governments do not focus resources or listen to local concerns.

Liverpool Walton

A safe-seat constituency in the UK where the Labour Party consistently wins by a massive majority, making it nearly impossible for rival parties to succeed.