influences

• How do politics influence parliament?

  When there is a general election, all the political parties publish their manifesto (a list of reforms they would carry out if elected as the next government). This persuades people to vote for them.
• What are the advantages of political influence?

  • Each party has its proposals for reform ready for if they are elected. Because the government has a majority in the house of commons, virtually every law it proposes will be passed, making the law-making process efficient.
• What are the disadvantages of political influence?

  • If a different party is elected at the next election, they may decide to repeal/alter laws that the previous government passed due to differences in policies which can be costly and open to criticism.
  • When a government has a very small majority, it may restrict which laws get passed. For example, when there was a coalition government, they will have to compromise on which policies are followed.
• How does public opinion/the media influence Parliament?


  When there is a strong public opinion about a change to the law, the government may bow to such opinion. The media brings public opinion to the government's attention. High profile issues are put on TV/newspapers which brings it to the attention of other members of the public and may add to the weight of public opinion.
• What are the advantages of public opinion/the media?

  • We have a free press meaning they are able to criticise government policy or bring any other issues to the attention of the government.
  • Sometimes public opinion will be affected by specific events which may have a role in formulating the law. In 1996, 16 kids and their teacher were killed by a gunman. Parliament later banned ownership of most handguns.
• What are the disadvantages of the influences of public opinion/the media on Parliament?

  • The government may respond too quickly to high profile incidents leading to law being created too quickly and not thought through, so the law is poorly drafted.
  • In some cases, the media can manipulate the news and create public opinion.
• How do pressure groups influence Parliament?


  They are groups with particular interests which they bring to the attention of the general public and government. They make the government reconsider the law and campaign against proposed changes to the law.
• What are Sectional Pressure Groups?


  They represent the interests of a particular group of people; often representing work groups or professions. An example s the Law Society which represents solicitor's interests.
• What are Cause Pressure Groups?


  They promote a particular cause. An example is the Amnesty, the human rights group and Greenpeace, the environmental group.
• What are the advantages of the influence of pressure groups on Parliament?

  • Pressure groups raise important issues, there are many pressure groups with different aims so a wide range of issues are drawn to the attention of the government.
• What are the disadvantages of the influence of pressure groups on Parliament?

  • Pressure groups are seeking to impose their ideas, even where the majority of the public do not support their views. Sometimes there are occasions when two groups have conflicting interests and want opposing things.
• How do Law Reform bodies influence Parliament?


  They consider which reforms of the law are needed and report on these. The most important of these is the Law Commission: a permanent panel of legal experts who research areas of law and recommend which need to be reformed.
• What does the Law Commission do?


  Before setting out their final proposals for reform, they issue a consultation paper so they can get the view of interested parties. Their final report includes a draft Bill setting out how they think the law should be reformed: they go to Parliament and most recommendations are eventually made law.
• What are the advantages of the influence of Law Reform bodies?

  • Areas of law are researched by legal experts.
  • Whole areas of law can be considered, not just isolated issues.
  • Enacting the law on an area in 1 Act makes the law easier to find and understand.
  • The Law Commission consults before finalising its proposals.
• What are the disadvantages of the influence of Law Reform bodies on Parliament?

  • The government doesn't always implement the reform it suggests, partly due to lack of parliamentary time for pure law reform which has to be given to the major issues such as finance, foreign affairs, health, and education. The reform of substantive areas of law is not a priority.