AO1 - Influences on Parliament

• Political influence

  • Government control the agenda in parliament, both House of Commons and House of Lords must have a vote before a law is passed
  • All political parties produce a manifesto
  • If government have a majority, they can get almost any law through
  • For example, Conservatives in 2019 said "Get Brexit Done."
• Public Opinion/Media

  • If there is a strong public opinion about a change to the law, the government is likely to follow the demand
  • Media play a large role in bringing public opinion to government's attention as they let them know what public opinions are
  • For example, news reports about pit bull terriers attaching children led to the passing of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
• Pressure Groups

  • Have a particular interest and try to bring matters to the attention of the public and the government so the law will change
  • Variety of ways: protests, lobbying, petitions, public stunts
  • For example, Firearms Act 1997 after the Dunblane disaster
  • Sectional pressure groups represent the interests of a particular section of society, for example, the Law Society
  • Cause pressure groups promote a particular cause, for example, Green Peace
• Lobbyists

  • People try to persuade individual MPs to support their cause
  • Used by individuals or pressure groups
  • Persuade an MP to ask a question in the House of Commons so the issue gets publicity
  • For example, Sydney Silverman was lobbied and put forward a private members bill to abolish the death penalty
• The Law Commission

  • Full time reform body who work part time to suggest laws that need reviewing through repeal, consolidation or codification
  • Led by judges
  • For example, Criminal Attempts Act 1981