Explain and analyze three methods pressure groups use to achieve their aims

Lobbying

• Insider Pressure groups can hire professional lobbyists to lobby to the government to change policies and to apply pressure for change. This method is very useful for insider groups as they already engage in discussion with decision - makers so can easily get points across

• E.g. stonewall lobbied for the legislative change and changed the equality act 2010 to include sexual orientation and gender reassignment

• E.g. High speed rail campaign hired westbourne communications to shift the debate to the economic benefits of HS2 ignoring the environmental impact

Pressure groups can use direct action

• Pressure groups can use direct action which are methods which aim to draw attention with violent or non violent protest to pressure government to meet demands, mostly used by outsider groups can help gain publicity - Do not directly operate with the government

• E.g. Plane stupid 2015 cut perimeter fence at Heathrow and chained themselves together on runway 25 flights cancelled

• E.g. The animal liberation front has broken into laboratories that use animals for scientific testing or harassed scientist involved in research

Work with select committees

• Pressure groups can work with select committees to scrutinise government in certain departments

• This is effective as select committees have expertise knowledge in corresponding government departments and can regularly call on pressure groups to highlight problems - gives a more formal front

• E.g. greenpeace has worked with the environmental audit committee - to examines how government policies and programs contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

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