Influences on Parliament

• What are the five influences on Parliament?

  Political

  Media

  Pressure Groups

  Public opinion

  Lobbyists/lobbying firms
• What is a political influence on Parliament?

  Political parties publish a manifesto which amounts to a promise of new laws they'll introduce
• What is an example of the success of political influence on Parliament?

  Hunting Act 2004
• What are the advantages of political influence on Parliament?

  Each party has its proposals ready

  Most new Bills will be passed
• What are the disadvantages of political influence on Parliament?

  Difficult to fulfil a promise, especially without an overall majority (Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition 2010-15)
• What is a media influence on Parliament?

  Where there's strong public opinion on an issue, the government may bow to it
• What is an example of the success of media influence on Parliament?

  Private ownership of handguns banned after Dunblane Massacre
• What are the advantages of media influence on Parliament?

  Free press can criticise government policy or bring issues to government attention using public opinion
• What are the disadvantages of media influence on Parliament?

  Responding too quickly leads to poorly drafted law (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)

  Media companies can manipulate the news
• What are the two types of pressure groups that influence Parliament?

  Sectional

  Cause
• What is a sectional pressure group?

  Represent the interests of a particular group of people
• What is a cause pressure group?

  Promotes a particular cause
• What is an example of the success of pressure groups influencing Parliament?

  Smoking in public places laws introduced
• What are the advantages of pressure groups influencing Parliament?

  Brings important scientific discoveries to the government's attention
• What are the disadvantages of pressure groups influencing Parliament?

  Two pressure groups can have conflicting interests
• What is the influence of public opinion on Parliament?

  Views of members of public - strong influence
• What is an example of the success of the influence of public opinion on Parliament?

  Helped government decide whether to leave EU
• What are the advantages of the influence of public opinion on Parliament?

  Parliament can safely pass legislation where the majority has certain beliefs
• What are the disadvantages of the influence of public opinion on Parliament?

  Gauging public opinion can be difficult
• What is the influence of lobbyists/lobbying firms on Parliament?

  Professionals/organisations that try to persuade Parliament to enact, amend or repeal legislation
• What is an example of the success of the influence of lobbyists/lobbying firms on Parliament?

  Most multinational companies have/use lobbyists
• What are the advantages of the influence of lobbyists/lobbying firms on Parliament?

  Citizens can approach a lobbyist to present their interests direct to government
• What are the disadvantages of the influence of lobbyists/lobbying firms on Parliament?

  Expensive + dubious and corrupt methods