Pressure Group Factors - Politics

Government sympathy:

Most crucial factor affecting a group’s influence on policy, as if the two bodies share an ideology, the government can more easily adapt their policy to appease the pressure group. This often leads to increased collaboration and support for the group's causes.

Examples of government sympathy benefitting different groups:

Think Tanks ~ Tax-Payer Alliance - ideologies align with Conservative policies and often granted unofficial opportunities to meet officials. - Influenced Osbourne to introduce the 2-year freeze on public sector pay in 2010 Budget

Pressure Group ~ Trade Unions - Generally make up a majority of Labour party funding and align with their values of solidarity with the working class. Current Labour govt introduced pay rises for teachers, doctors, train drivers + ‘Employment Rights Act’, includes 6.7% minimum wage increase

Resources:

Economic resources; group’s importance to the economy; public appearance; expertise.

Economic power most crucial factor - wealth demands high-level of success and large membership giving group a high public profile - Also gives power to hire more qualified individuals who bring in experience and networks

“Revolving door” - Government/Parliament officials leave jobs and are shortly hired by an organisation requiring lobbyists of government

Examples of resources benefitting different groups:

Corporations ~ Nissan - Produce 1/3 of cars in the UK and 80% of those pre Brexit were shipped to the EU - Vital economic importance and high profile in manufacturing gave them meetings with top govt officials inc. PM, promising compensation should Brexit damage their profits

Pressure Groups ~ CBI - Represents over 200,000 UK businesses and generates £25mil per year - Benefit from high membership and importance to the economy, PMs and Chancellors attend annually. 2023 Budget - CBI campaigned on reforming childcare, after govt announced working parents could access 30 hours free childcare a week

Membership:

Larger memberships typically = greater funding for the group, plus a more well-grounded claim in representing public opinion, as well as more power behind them in the case of direct action

Examples of groups benefitting from membership:

Lobbyists ~ The Portman Group - A collection of roughly 20 alcohol-based producers in the UK, great impact on the British economy, as they dominate the market and pay out large amounts of tax. 2007 Labour government went against professional advice of 17 experts to pull their support from an increase in alcohol prices.

Pressure groups ~ Mumsnet - Largest membership of over 8mil, makes it a key target for governments and parties. Successfully persuaded the NHS to reduce the number of free samples offered of formula to encourage breastfeeding.