Describe IFP (8 marks)

• What are the 5 influences of parliament (only need 4 for 8 marker)

  • Political parties
  • Public opinion
  • Media
  • Pressure groups
  • Lobbyists
• Political Parties


  • Stand for election and release manifesto with a list of promises that they will bring if the public vote for them 
  • Influence laws by bringing promises into law once they are in power  

  e.g. Tony Blair's Labour government ---> bring rights home ---> Human Rights Act 1998 
• Public Opinion


  • The public vote in elections so if there's large public support for an issue MPs will be encouraged to bring it into law to win public favour and their votes  

  e.g. EU Referendum 2016 ---> showed public support for leaving EU ---> Brexit 
• Media


  • Brings public opinion on issues to the awareness of government
  • Influences public to have a certain opinion on something

  e.g. Dunblane Massacre ---> Snowdrop Campaign ---> Firearms Amendment Act 1997 (ban handguns)
• Pressure Groups


  • Groups of people with similar interests who raise awareness on issues and campaign for law changes
  • Interest groups - represent interests of a group in society e.g. British Medical Association (doctors)
  • Cause groups - campaign for certain cause - e.g. Greenpeace (environment)
  • Special interest groups - work with political parties on projects - e.g. Trade Union Congress (Labour)
• Lobbyists


  • People who try to persuade MPs by meeting/writing to them
  • Professional lobbyist - have inside connections to be able to meet directly with people in power

  e.g. banks have professional lobbyists with connections with Conservative party