Evaluation of influences on law making

advantages of political (government policy)

• Each political party has its proposals known and ready if they are elected

• a gov majority means most of the laws it introduces will be passed

disadvantages of political (government policy)

• new Govs may repeal or alter laws of previous governments

• difficult for minority or coalition Govs to fulfil manifesto promises, leading to compromises

advantages of public opinion and the media

• where majority has certain beliefs, parliament can safely pass law on that issue

• free press able to criticise gov policy or bring issues to attention of gov using public opinion

disadvantages of public opinion and the media

• gauging public opinion = difficult

• responding too quick to high profile incidents can lead to poorly drafted law

• media can be accused of manipulating news and creating public options = ‘moral panics’

advantages of pressure groups

• raise important issues to attention of parliament

• wide range of memberships and expertise

disadvantages of pressure groups

• try to impose ideas on majority

• may have conflicting interests eg League Against Cruel Sports supported ban on fox hinting but Countryside Alliance disagreed

advantages of Lobbyists

• can represent and present interests direct to gov minters or departments

• anyone can lobby their MP

• may trigger publicity and/or debate in parliament

disadvantages of Lobbyists

• professionals are expensive and may only represent citizens or groups that can afford

• accusation of dubious and corrupt methods eg ‘cash for questions’ affair

advantages of Law Commission

• they are legal experts

• consultation

• whole areas of reform

• more than 2/3 of proposals are successful

disadvantages of Law Commission

• some reforms may never be implemented due to lack of political will

• lack of parl time to discuss technical law reform