Lobbying the government

• Lobbying the government

  One method used by pressure groups to influence is Lobbying the government.

  Lobbying the government is when an individual or a group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign. Lobbying can be done in person, by sending letters and emails or via social media. Pressure groups can be very successful in influencing MSPs and MPs if the political interests of the representative match those of the pressure group.
• Lobbying the government - EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS

  Gillian McKay (Green MSP) was lobbied by the pressure group Back Off Scotland (a woman’s rights group) to introduce 150m buffer zones around abortion clinics in Scotland to protect women from being heckled and harassed when accessing abortion services.

  The Scottish Government initially refused to legislate, but was prompted to act by new Green MSP Gillian Mackay proposing her own Bill through Scottish Parliament to introduce the buffer zones.

  This shows how significant change can be made in the direction of legislation by specifically targeting a member of parliament, highlighting lobbying as a successful and influential method of protest.
• Lobbying the government - REBUTTAL

  However, the success of lobby groups often depends on the political party in power.

  If the aim of the organisation differs from the political aims of the elected representatives, the activities of the individual pressure group will have limited impact. Elected members are not always sympathetic to their causes.
• Lobbying the government - REBUTTAL (EXAMPLE & ANALYSIS)

  Anti-abortion groups lobbied the Conservative UK government more than 100 times during their time in office, but there have no changes in the law.

  This demonstrates how certain pressure groups may be unsuccessful in their attempts to lobby the government simply because they are targeting the wrong people, representatives who don’t necessarily agree with or support their cause.
• Lobbying the government - EVALUATION

  However, it is fair to say that lobbying the government is a largely successful method of influencing the government as despite some pressure groups struggling for support it can perhaps be said that they simply target the wrong people, and the change that can be seen from bringing the issue to one representative shows just how influencial the prospect of lobbying is.