Evaluate the view that Think-Tanks, Lobbyists and PGs Have Little Impact on Gov Decisions (30)

Disagree 1: Insider PGs have a significant Impact

• Insider PGs exert influence through close contacts with ministers, gov deps, MPs, civil servants.

• Often aligned politically with gov so can directly lobby to achieve aims. NFU had strong links with DEFRA under Conservatives, providing expertise & advice. In 2013, NFU helped bring about a badger cull to control bTB despite opposition from welfare groups like Badger Trust & RSPCA. In 2024, PM Rishi Sunak attended their annual conference and pledged to protect British farming, leading to suspension of trade talks with Canada after disagreements over food standards.

• Insider PGs can also brief gov, draft legislation, or give evidence to select committees. Stonewall, with insider status under New Labour, helped shape LGBTQ+ policy, achieving successes like equalising age of consent to 16 in Sexual Offences Act 2000, requiring use of Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949 to overrule HOL opposition.

Agree 1: Insider PGs have limited impact

• However, whilst gov may consult Insider PGs and use their expertise, final policy decisions remain in gov hands. NFU influenced Conservative govs because their aims already aligned with Conservative policy

• 2024 Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a tax of 20% on inherited farming assets. Despite intense opposition – including 13,000 farmers protesting outside Westminster on 19 November 2024 and an NFU-organised “mass lobby” involving thousands of farmers and 150 MPs – gov refused to reverse the policy.

• Finally, assessing insider PG influence is difficult, as they rarely publicise their successes to avoid offending ministers & jeopardising their access

• Insider PGs heavily depend on the political leanings of gov of the day and can quickly lose influence when power shifts

Disagree 2: Outsider PGs have a significant impact

• Outsider PGs influence gov policy through media campaigns, protests & legal action. Marcus Rashford’s 2020 campaign to extend free school meals during holidays used social media, trad media & e-petitions to generate public support, leading gov to U-turn on 16 June 2020

• London 2024 protests called for ceasefire in Gaza, attended by 100,000+ people, contributed to Labour gov suspending some arms exports to Israel in September 2024

• Legal challenges are another effective method. April 2025, PG For Women Scotland’s successfully challenged Scottish gov in the Supreme Court, leading to the reversal of the inclusion of transgender people with Gender Recognition Certificates in the Equality Act’s definition of ‘sex’. The Court’s ruling, accepted by UK gov defined ‘woman’ based on biographical sex -  demonstrates judicial review can achieve policy goals

Agree 2: Outsider PGs have a limited impact

• However, outsider PGs struggle to impact policy - lack gov contacts & far from aligned with gov’s priorities. Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) failed to persuade Labour gov to compensate 3.6 million women affected by poorly communicated state pension age changes. Despite demonstrations & e-petitions, Labour rejected compensation in Dec 2024, largely because £10bn cost conflicted with goals of reducing deficit & promoting econo growth

• Outsiders struggle when cannot secure public support, especially if using disruptive tactics. Just Stop Oil’s 2022 actions – blocking roads & stopping football matches – alienated public & made easier for Sunak’s gov to announce 100 new North Sea oil & gas licences in July 2023.

• Finally govs can restrict outsider PGs directly. The Public Order Act 2023 limited farmers’ ability to bring tractors into Westminster during protests over inheritance tax changes.

Disagree 3: Think Tanks a significant impact

• Think Tanks = groups of experts who research complex issues & propose policy solutions. Often can shape policy when have clear political leanings/links to politicians. E.g. Centre for Social Justice (founded by Iain Duncan Smith) first proposed Universal Credit, which was later implemented by Coalition gov

• The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) had clear influence over Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s 2022 economic agenda of deregulation and tax cuts, with Truss’ senior adviser Ruth Porter previously serving as IEA’s communications director

• 2023-24, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change was reported to influence Labour policy under Starmer. Its centrist, pro-business, tough-on-crime stance can be seen in Starmer’s shifts towards New Labour style messaging, (commitments to increase police numbers, strengthen community policy & support tougher sentencing)

Agree 3: Think Tanks have a limited impact

• Very difficult to measure how much think tanks actually shape gov policy. Ultimately, gov makes final decisions

• Think tanks lack broad public support so often struggle to compete with PGs that can demonstrate electoral benefits. E.g. despite extensive research & analysis from think tanks like Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace opposing Iraq invasion, their advice ignored as US & UK proceeded with 2003 war

Disagree 4: Lobbyists have a significant impact

• Lobbyists = paid professionals who seek access to gov, MPs, and HOL to influence legislation for their clients’ interests. Lobbying big in UK, employing 4,000 people with £2 billion spent annually

• Scott Benson, former Conservative MP for Blackpool South was filmed in 2023 Times sting offering to lobby for a fake gambling company, proposing parliamentary questions and policy work in exchange for £4,000 a month

• Firms also hire ex-politicians for their Westminster contacts. The Guardian reported in 2023 that since 2017, over 170 former ministers and senior officials have taken roles linked to policy areas they once managed, raising conflict-of-interest concerns

• A recent case is Penny Mordaunt, who joined British American Tobacco five months after leaving office, leading to accusations that her decisions as Leader of the House – such as delaying the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – might have influenced

Agree 4: Lobbyists have a limited impact

• However, while lobbyists can use contacts and financial incentives, the scale of corruption is often overstated, as breaches of the Ministerial Code would trigger major media and public backlash

• April 2024, HOC passed the Tobacco and Vapes Act (banned anyone born post 2009 from buying cigs). 383 MPs in favour and only 67 against, despite heavy tobacco industry lobbying. Shows lobbying often fails when gov intentions & public opinion are clear. However, the bill did not become law due to time constraints before 2024 general election

• March 2023, Parliament strengthened lobbying rules to increase transparency & strictly regulate MPs. New standards included ban on MPs providing paid parliamentary advice or consultancy related to lobbying & all outside work must have written contracts confirming no lobbying duties