Pressure Groups + Organised Groups
Civil Liberty Pressure Groups -> CAAT (Campaign Against Arms
Trade), Amnesty International and Rights Watch UK; Opposing the
arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Legal Challenges, 2019 Case Court of Appeal
-In 2019, Amnesty International supported a legal challenge against the UK government’s
decision to continue arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a campaign led by CAAT.
-Amnesty provided copious amounts of evidence to the trial to prove the weapons sold were
used against civilians.
-the UK court of appeal ruled the arms sales were unlawful as the government hadn’t
properly addressed the risk of civilian casualties
In 2020 the UK government renewed its arms sales to Saudi Arabia
-The case was taken to the High Court of Justice led by CAAT and supported by Amnesty
and Rights Watch UK; the groups lost the case.
Civil Liberty Pressure Groups -> Big Brother Watch: Opposing the
use of facial recognition technology by UK police forces
Public Campaigns and Reports
-Published reports and held events to raise awareness and engage with the media. Currently
running a crowdfund page to gather support for their lobbying actions
Legal Challenges
-In 2020, Big Brother Watch and a private individual took legal action against the South
Wales Police, claiming the use of facial recognition violated human rights laws. The Court of
Appeal ruled the use of this technology was unlawful and violated privacy rights under the
HRA.
-In 2021, the case was brought to the ECHR under violations to article 8 (right to a private
life) and 10 (freedom of expression), and ruled the bulk interceptions certainly violated both
-However, police forces have continued their use of this technology regardless of court
rulings
-Campaign renewed in 2024, and the government announced its support for the effort
-ECHR has continued to call upon the Met Police in 2025 to ensure its use of LFRT complies
with the UK’s entrenched human rights laws.
Engagement with policymakers
,-By the end of 2023, 65 MPs and lords had supported their campaign including Ed Davey.
Pressure Group Activity
RSPB
-The RSPB has over 1 million members and actively campaigns to influence environmental
policy. The RSPB produces detailed reports and conducts research to challenge government
policy, providing a counterbalance to corporate and political elites; their influence seen in the
passing of the Environment Act 2021, which included measures supported by the RSPB.
In 2004, the RSPCA campaigned for a ban on hunting, which was eventually successful in
the ratification of the Hunting Dogs Act 2004.
In 2024 the Scottish Parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill – this
came after a long campaign from the RSPB.
Greenpeace
-Greenpeace has historically been an insider pressure group to help advise the government on
key environmental policies. They run various campaigns that range from lobbying through to
big publicity stunts. In 2023, activists from Greenpeace covered Sunak’s house in a black
cloth to protest the expansion of Nort Sea oil and gas extraction; the Conservative severed
their ties to government departments and official insider status is yet to be restored.
Membership to these parties, with firm ties to mostly left-wing party ideologies, far exceeds
all current political parties, with Labour having only 533,000 members as of 2024,
Conservatives only 131,000, but the Green Party now boasting 226,000 members as of 13
April 2026; the ‘surge’ mostly accredited to Zack Polanski’s emergence as leader.
British Medical Association (BMA)
As a result of the association’s strikes in 2024 the BMA accepted a deal from the government
to increase pay deals over 2 years’ worth 22.3%. They also agreed to streamline rotas for
doctors and training
Despite this in 2026 the BMA balloted their members again and agreed to further strike
action to take place until September this year.
National Farming Union (NFU)
Currently represents around 46,000+ farming businesses across the country. A major recent
campaign of the NFU was in response to the 2024 Autumn Budget and the changes to
inheritance tax.
‘Stop the Family Farm Tax’ - mass lobbying of Parliament on the 14th November 2024
where over 1,800 members met with 228 MPs to discuss the impact of the tax. A petition was
delivered to Downing Street with over 270,000 signatures. The result of this is that the
government announced they would somewhat reverse the decision increasing the threshold
that they would have to pay to £2.5million
, Just Stop Oil (JSO)
Controversial approach that the more important matter was the delivery of a message rather
than attaining public support. Although many agreed with the cause of the campaign, they did
not support the method – April 2022, Just Stop Oil activists vandalized petrol pumps along
the M25; in October 2022 two JSO activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth Bridge on the M25
and were suspended in cables there for 37 years; both were sentenced to around 3 years in
prison.
Birmingham Bin Strike 2025-2026
A standoff between refuse workers and the Birmingham city council after the council
proposed wage cuts and eliminating roles. Ended in April of 2026, after 16 months as
compensations and negotiations began.
, How do other organisations influence UK democracy
Lobbying – the act of persuading those in power to follow a particular
course of action
-it is estimated that MPs are approached over 100 times a week by lobbyists
-It is estimated that £2 billion a year circulates Parliament through lobbying alone
-The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration
Act (TLA) 2014, attempting to increase the transparency of lobbying negotiations in the UK
failed to meaningfully address the issue. While intended to increase transparency, the Act’s
narrow scope-requiring only third-party lobbyists to register when meeting ministers or
senior civil servants-left large portions of lobbying activity unregulated and opaque.
Enhancing democracy Undermining democracy
Offers businesses, charities, etc, a Google avoided an approximate £1.5 billion
representation on policy they otherwise in taxes according to the Taxes Justice
would have lacked network in 2018 through a lucrative
lobbying campaign for reduced tax rates
RSPCA was able to influence the passing of Sunak’s 2024 smoking bill was intercepted
the 2022 Animal Welfare bill, after sending in its final readings, as tobacco companies
17,300 e-mails enquiring it and 650 tweets. heavily lobbied for its omission
Method to grant insider statues to an Undermines confidence in politicians, that
otherwise radical or outsider group policy is now orchestrated by third parties
May assist legislation through offering
diverse perspectives
Greensill Capital and David Cameron
After leaving office in 2016 Cameron took on a role within an organisation called Greensill
Capital in 2018. During covid he undertook a lobbying campaign to allow Greensill access to
the Covid loans. In the process he contacted several high-profile ministers including Rishi
Sunak and Michael Gove. A treasury report finally concluded did not break the rules but his
actions ‘reflects on the insufficient strength of the rules’.
Rishi Sunak Tobacco and Vapes Bill, 2024
After calling the General Election in 2024 Rishi Sunak only had time to pass a selection of
bills through Parliament. One flagship bill that Sunak had to choose was the Tobacco and
Vapes Bill – this had passed through second reading with a vote of 415 yes and only 47
against. Despite this Sunak did not select this as one of the bills to be taken through. In the
decision-making process Sunak faced heavy opposition for tobacco firms including Imperial
Brand as well as from think tanks with pro tobacco ties. Following a Freedom of Information
request the Guardian uncovered that several ministers has been threatened with legal backlash
if the bill were to progress.
Civil Liberty Pressure Groups -> CAAT (Campaign Against Arms
Trade), Amnesty International and Rights Watch UK; Opposing the
arms sales to Saudi Arabia
Legal Challenges, 2019 Case Court of Appeal
-In 2019, Amnesty International supported a legal challenge against the UK government’s
decision to continue arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a campaign led by CAAT.
-Amnesty provided copious amounts of evidence to the trial to prove the weapons sold were
used against civilians.
-the UK court of appeal ruled the arms sales were unlawful as the government hadn’t
properly addressed the risk of civilian casualties
In 2020 the UK government renewed its arms sales to Saudi Arabia
-The case was taken to the High Court of Justice led by CAAT and supported by Amnesty
and Rights Watch UK; the groups lost the case.
Civil Liberty Pressure Groups -> Big Brother Watch: Opposing the
use of facial recognition technology by UK police forces
Public Campaigns and Reports
-Published reports and held events to raise awareness and engage with the media. Currently
running a crowdfund page to gather support for their lobbying actions
Legal Challenges
-In 2020, Big Brother Watch and a private individual took legal action against the South
Wales Police, claiming the use of facial recognition violated human rights laws. The Court of
Appeal ruled the use of this technology was unlawful and violated privacy rights under the
HRA.
-In 2021, the case was brought to the ECHR under violations to article 8 (right to a private
life) and 10 (freedom of expression), and ruled the bulk interceptions certainly violated both
-However, police forces have continued their use of this technology regardless of court
rulings
-Campaign renewed in 2024, and the government announced its support for the effort
-ECHR has continued to call upon the Met Police in 2025 to ensure its use of LFRT complies
with the UK’s entrenched human rights laws.
Engagement with policymakers
,-By the end of 2023, 65 MPs and lords had supported their campaign including Ed Davey.
Pressure Group Activity
RSPB
-The RSPB has over 1 million members and actively campaigns to influence environmental
policy. The RSPB produces detailed reports and conducts research to challenge government
policy, providing a counterbalance to corporate and political elites; their influence seen in the
passing of the Environment Act 2021, which included measures supported by the RSPB.
In 2004, the RSPCA campaigned for a ban on hunting, which was eventually successful in
the ratification of the Hunting Dogs Act 2004.
In 2024 the Scottish Parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill – this
came after a long campaign from the RSPB.
Greenpeace
-Greenpeace has historically been an insider pressure group to help advise the government on
key environmental policies. They run various campaigns that range from lobbying through to
big publicity stunts. In 2023, activists from Greenpeace covered Sunak’s house in a black
cloth to protest the expansion of Nort Sea oil and gas extraction; the Conservative severed
their ties to government departments and official insider status is yet to be restored.
Membership to these parties, with firm ties to mostly left-wing party ideologies, far exceeds
all current political parties, with Labour having only 533,000 members as of 2024,
Conservatives only 131,000, but the Green Party now boasting 226,000 members as of 13
April 2026; the ‘surge’ mostly accredited to Zack Polanski’s emergence as leader.
British Medical Association (BMA)
As a result of the association’s strikes in 2024 the BMA accepted a deal from the government
to increase pay deals over 2 years’ worth 22.3%. They also agreed to streamline rotas for
doctors and training
Despite this in 2026 the BMA balloted their members again and agreed to further strike
action to take place until September this year.
National Farming Union (NFU)
Currently represents around 46,000+ farming businesses across the country. A major recent
campaign of the NFU was in response to the 2024 Autumn Budget and the changes to
inheritance tax.
‘Stop the Family Farm Tax’ - mass lobbying of Parliament on the 14th November 2024
where over 1,800 members met with 228 MPs to discuss the impact of the tax. A petition was
delivered to Downing Street with over 270,000 signatures. The result of this is that the
government announced they would somewhat reverse the decision increasing the threshold
that they would have to pay to £2.5million
, Just Stop Oil (JSO)
Controversial approach that the more important matter was the delivery of a message rather
than attaining public support. Although many agreed with the cause of the campaign, they did
not support the method – April 2022, Just Stop Oil activists vandalized petrol pumps along
the M25; in October 2022 two JSO activists scaled the Queen Elizabeth Bridge on the M25
and were suspended in cables there for 37 years; both were sentenced to around 3 years in
prison.
Birmingham Bin Strike 2025-2026
A standoff between refuse workers and the Birmingham city council after the council
proposed wage cuts and eliminating roles. Ended in April of 2026, after 16 months as
compensations and negotiations began.
, How do other organisations influence UK democracy
Lobbying – the act of persuading those in power to follow a particular
course of action
-it is estimated that MPs are approached over 100 times a week by lobbyists
-It is estimated that £2 billion a year circulates Parliament through lobbying alone
-The Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration
Act (TLA) 2014, attempting to increase the transparency of lobbying negotiations in the UK
failed to meaningfully address the issue. While intended to increase transparency, the Act’s
narrow scope-requiring only third-party lobbyists to register when meeting ministers or
senior civil servants-left large portions of lobbying activity unregulated and opaque.
Enhancing democracy Undermining democracy
Offers businesses, charities, etc, a Google avoided an approximate £1.5 billion
representation on policy they otherwise in taxes according to the Taxes Justice
would have lacked network in 2018 through a lucrative
lobbying campaign for reduced tax rates
RSPCA was able to influence the passing of Sunak’s 2024 smoking bill was intercepted
the 2022 Animal Welfare bill, after sending in its final readings, as tobacco companies
17,300 e-mails enquiring it and 650 tweets. heavily lobbied for its omission
Method to grant insider statues to an Undermines confidence in politicians, that
otherwise radical or outsider group policy is now orchestrated by third parties
May assist legislation through offering
diverse perspectives
Greensill Capital and David Cameron
After leaving office in 2016 Cameron took on a role within an organisation called Greensill
Capital in 2018. During covid he undertook a lobbying campaign to allow Greensill access to
the Covid loans. In the process he contacted several high-profile ministers including Rishi
Sunak and Michael Gove. A treasury report finally concluded did not break the rules but his
actions ‘reflects on the insufficient strength of the rules’.
Rishi Sunak Tobacco and Vapes Bill, 2024
After calling the General Election in 2024 Rishi Sunak only had time to pass a selection of
bills through Parliament. One flagship bill that Sunak had to choose was the Tobacco and
Vapes Bill – this had passed through second reading with a vote of 415 yes and only 47
against. Despite this Sunak did not select this as one of the bills to be taken through. In the
decision-making process Sunak faced heavy opposition for tobacco firms including Imperial
Brand as well as from think tanks with pro tobacco ties. Following a Freedom of Information
request the Guardian uncovered that several ministers has been threatened with legal backlash
if the bill were to progress.
