influences & reform

• What do political parties use to appeal to the public?

  Manifestos
• What is a manifesto?

  A public declaration of policies and aims
• How might Labour appeal to younger adults?

  By proposing to decrease taxes
• What are the advantages of political parties influencing Parliament?

  • Laws reflect electorate views
  • Democratic process with majority vote
  • Prime minister elected by majority seats
• What are the disadvantages of political parties influencing Parliament?

  • Manifestos may not be followed
  • Old laws can be repealed
  • New taxes may increase costs
• What can trigger legislative action in response to public opinion?

  Widespread public anxieties
• What was the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 a response to?

  Widespread anxieties about dog attacks
• How does media bias affect public opinion?

  It can skew information towards a party
• What is a potential negative effect of group violence on pressure groups?

  It can deter public support
• What are the types of pressure groups?

  • Sectional groups: promote specific interests
  • Insider groups: have government ties
  • Outsider groups: mobilize public opinion
• What is the role of law reform bodies?

  To review laws and suggest reforms
• What is the Law Commission?

  An independent body for law reform
• How does the Law Commission prepare for reforms?

  By preparing detailed reports
• What are the strengths of law reform bodies?

  • Trusted legal experts
  • Aligns public views for change
  • Thorough consultation process
• What are the weaknesses of law reform bodies?

  • Can be ignored if ineffective
  • Time spent on less urgent issues
  • Limited flexibility for changes
• What happens after a reform is proposed to the government?

  The reform body is consulted again
• Why is it important for reforms to be close to perfect when sent to Parliament?

  To avoid the need for significant changes
• What is a bill in parliament?

  An idea from parliament to become law
• How many types of bills are there?

  Three types
• What distinguishes public bills from private bills?

  Public concerns all of England, private is specific
• What is a hybrid bill?

  A bill for large areas or specific characteristics
• What is a green paper?

  An idea for a bill, the title
• What is the purpose of a white paper?

  To present more definite proposals for discussion
• What are the stages of a bill becoming law?

  1. Green papers
  2. White papers
  3. 1st reading
  4. 2nd reading
  5. Committee stage
  6. Report stage
  7. 3rd reading
  8. House of Lords
  9. Royal assent
• What is the Law Commission?

  An independent body created by the Law Commission Act 1965
• What is the main function of the Law Commission?

  To keep the law under review and suggest reform
• What areas does the Law Commission work on?

  Systematic development, reform, codification, repeal
• What is codification in law?

  Creating a complete code of law on a topic
• What does repeal mean in legal terms?

  An act ceases to be law
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Law Commission's work?

  Advantages:

  • Considers whole areas, not just small issues
  • Reduces parliament's workload
  • Simplifies and modernizes old law

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Can only suggest reforms
  • Government implementation can be slow
  • Proposed changes cannot be altered once with government
• What influences parliamentary law-making?

  Political parties, media, pressure groups, reform bodies
• What do sectional pressure groups represent?

  Interests of particular people, like trade unions
• What do cause groups promote?

  A particular cause, like extinction rebellion
• How does the EU influence UK law?

  Through treaties and articles
• What is the highest court in England and Wales?

  UK Supreme Court
• How did media influence the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991?

  Media outrage led to changes in gun laws
• What type of cases does the UK Supreme Court hear?

  Appeals only, on points of law
• Who are the judges in the UK Supreme Court?

  Justices of the supreme court
• What role do political manifestos play in law-making?

  They support views of the electorate
• What is the function of the Court of Appeal?

  Appeal only, criminal or civil divisions