how people/media can influence the government

Ordinary citizens and Media

Voting
PEE

The most powerful method the British people have to influence the government and the decisions it makes is by voting.

This is most commonly done during an election, where the people can replace their MP or an entire government and put a new party in power. However, voting has also helped decide referendum results in the past decade in the UK.

For example, in 2016 the British public voted to leave the EU, and this forced the UK Government to honour the wishes of the people and sign Article 50. Britain then officially left the European Union in 2021.

Voting
Analysis

Therefore, it shows that people can influence the decisions the government is in charge of, representing themselves by their votes and opinions, which as a result, brings change into the laws and policies of the country that affect all the people.

Voting
Supporting PEE

However, it can be argued that our influence is limited by the fact it is very hard for ordinary citizens to change an entire government based on the current FPTP voting system. It needs millions of people to work together all over the country to vote against the current government.

For example, since 2010, there has only been one major change from a Conservative Government to a Labour government, despite there being 5 different general elections during this time period.

Voting
Supporting Analysis

This proves that even though people can impact political changes, major changes occur rarely, and lots of effort needs to be put in convincing and educating other people, so they vote in a way that would make the change happen.

Voting
Conclusion

Overall, all the evidence shows that voting can significantly affect the change of the government and its policies, but the fact that it takes a really long time for change to appear decreases the effectiveness of this method as a way to influence the government.

Signing an E-Petition
PEE

Many people now use the UK Government website to sign or start an E-petition as an effective way of influencing change or bringing in the introduction of new laws.

If an E-Petition gets over 100,000 online signatures, the Government will debate the issue in Parliament and offer a direct response to the petition. There may also be a change in the law.

For example, in 2022, nearly 700,000 people signed an E-petition requesting the UK government make it a legal requirement that a person provides a verified form of ID when opening a new social media account, which was further debated in parliament and streamed live on the parliament YouTube channel.

Signing an E-Petition
Analysis

As a result, E-Petitions are an effective way for the public to let the government know how they feel. However, there is no legal obligation or requirement for the government to listen, even if a petition gathers mass support.

Signing an E-Petition
Supporting Example

For example, there's a petition regarding increasing Personal Income Tax from 12570 pounds to 20,000, it gained over 1923360 signatures just now, however, the response of the government was that they have no intention to raise it whatsoever, due to its cost.
OR

For example, in 2024, over 620,000 people signed an e-petition asking for XL Bully dogs not to be added to a banned list of dangerous dogs. However, the UK Government have responded saying they have no plan to change the law.

Signing an E-Petition
Supporting Analysis

This proves that by creating E-Petitions, people are caught into thinking they're in control of the policies/laws in the country, however, it is mostly an illusion, since after debating the parliament usually declines the proposal.

Signing an E-Petition
Conclusion

Overall, signing E-Petitions might influence decision making, but they're often just ideas that stay disregarded by the government, therefore, their effectiveness can be argued.

Taking part in consultations
PEE

Consultations are uploaded on the Scottish government website and allow people to share their views with the Government when they are considering law changes that will impact many people in Scotland.

The more responses received, the more likely that the Scottish government will be influenced by the people and what they are saying.

For example, in 2022, the Scottish Government opened a two month long consultation to allow the people to share their views about whether there should be new rules around vape products and how they are advertised and promoted. And as a result, the Scottish Government announced that Scotland is banning single-use vapes on April 1st 2025, sue to the successful consultation and the variety of opinions given around the country.

Taking part in consultations
Analysis

Therefore, this method is far more effective in gathering people's opinions since the government gets more detailed answers rather than just signatures, which allows to introduce better representation of people's needs and wants.

Taking part in consultations
Supporting PEE

However, there is an argument that consultations are only there to give the impression that the government is listening, but little change will follow.

For example, in the summer of 2021, the Scottish Government sought the views of the people on how fireworks could be sold and used more safely. However, over four years later, people are still able to buy fireworks in shops.

Taking part in consultations
Supporting Analysis

This suggests that decisions made as a result of the consultations might not always be effective or long-lasting since people can still find access to prohibited products or how to break new-built rules.

Taking part in consultations
Conclusion

Overall, in conclusion, consultations are more effective as a way to gather opinions on the issues, but in the end, often neglected as not many consultations lead to a decision, and those that do might be overcomed by breaking the rules and laws.

Negative Reporting
PEE

The most obvious way the media, particularly newspapers, can influence government decision-making is by reporting negatively on a government to force them to change direction or U-Turn on policy decisions.

Politicians are desperate to avoid bad press, so they will be wary of the reporting and nature of the language used by journalists or commentators, which can negatively influence opinion.

For example, many British journalists have written opinion pieces criticising both the Conservative and Labour governments for not doing enough to end the Ukraine-Russia crisis and have demanded they step up with more action against Vladimir Putin.

Negative Reporting
Analysis

Therefore, it is clear that the media can bring the government's attention by reporting on important events happening and the government not doing much about them. It also makes people feel sceptical about their government, which pushes the government to make changes.

Negative Reporting
Supporting PEE

However, newspaper readership has been in massive decline in the last decade, and they no longer have the same influence over government.

Many people also read or buy a paper that matches their political views, so biased reporting by a journalist will just confirm their viewpoints.

For example, readers of The National in Scotland know it will rarely criticise the decisions of the SNP and instead highlight what a successful government they are.

Negative Reporting
Supporting Analysis

As a result, newspapers are less influential now due to falling readership. People often choose papers that match their views, which only supports what they already believe. This means, negative reporting might not always be effective in pressuring the government to change.