UK politics essay plans 100% PASSED
Evaluate the view pressure groups enhance democracy - ANS For:
- Counter balance the tyranny of the majority e.g. Stonewall and the legalisation of gay marriage
- Act as a limit to government power e.g. extinction rebellion, committing to zero carbon emissions by
2025
- Bring expert knowledge to governments attention e.g. CBI
Counter arguments:
- Leads to tyranny of minority e.g. opposition to HS2
- Undermines parliaments sovereignty e.g. private healthcare companies helping draft health and social
care act
- Not accountable despite influence on policy e.g. British Bankers Association
Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government
decisions - past paper question - ANS For:
- They are only advisory e.g. Greenpeace and zero carbon emissions
- The government can resist pressure e.g. Stop the War coalition
- Aims may contradict government policy e.g. 7 day a week NHS, BMA opposition failed
Counter arguments:
- Can influence policy if insider pressure group or lobbyist e.g. Anthony Browne chief executive of BBA
wrote Johnson's manifesto and attacked government on immigration policy
,- Provides scrutiny e.g. Greenpeace emails members regarding government achievements and progress
- Can provide expertise e.g. Adam Smith Institute used by Blair
Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than government
legislation in defending and promoting rights in the UK - past paper question - ANS For:
- Help citizens access their rights e.g. Freedom of Information Act used by PGs to uncover issues like
expenses scandals
- Forefront of securing rights in the UK e.g. lowering voting age and womens rights, votes at 16 coalition
launched in 2003
- Protect the rights of minorities e.g. Stonewall and section 28 being banned
Counter arguments:
- Its the government who create legislation that defends rights e.g. The Equality Act 2010
- The HRA has revolutionised rights protection in the UK e.g. explicit and codified, used to challenge the
freezing of terrorists bank assets
- All major rights in the UK owe their existence to legislation which protect minorities e.g.
decriminalisation of homosexuality and gay marriage
Evaluate the view that judges are better at defending rights than politicians - ANS For:
- They can exercise the rule of law e.g. HRA, banning prisoners voting and whole life sentences
- Freedom from criticism ensures judicial independence e.g. ruled whole life sentences where a breach
of article 3 in the ECHR, politicians may have disagreed
- Judicial neutrality through political restrictions and legal training e.g. if even judge is pro environmental
causes, they cannot join the Green Party of Greenpeace
, Counter arguments:
- Undemocratic and unaccountable e.g. in 2014 there were 11 white men, 1 whites woman and in the
court of appeal not a single ethnic minority judge
- Ministers are still willing to publicly criticise e.g. 2013 Home Secretary May said judges were 'ignoring
rules' aimed at deporting more foreign criminals
- Judges thought to be pro Conservative e.g. did nothing to challenge Thatchers anti trade union
legislation, Lord Philips criticised the use of mandatory sentences
Evaluate the view that parliament is better at defending rights than judges - ANS For:
- Parliament has a history of defending rights e.g. HRA
- MPs represent their constituents e.g. when universal credit was cut by £20 in Oct 2021, MPs raised the
issue in the commons
- Democratically accountable e.g. John vs Hirst 2003
Counter arguments:
- Dominated by the governing party e.g. kill the bill
- Role of House of Lords undermines democratic judgement e.g. Parliament act 1949
- MPs may be reluctant to champion the cause of human rights if it benefits unpopular element e.g.
Anti-terrorism crime and security act
Evaluate the view that a British Bill of Rights is essential to the effective protection of rights in the UK -
ANS For:
- Accountable government e.g. PCSC bill could be restricted
- Educational benefits e.g. BLM 2020
Evaluate the view pressure groups enhance democracy - ANS For:
- Counter balance the tyranny of the majority e.g. Stonewall and the legalisation of gay marriage
- Act as a limit to government power e.g. extinction rebellion, committing to zero carbon emissions by
2025
- Bring expert knowledge to governments attention e.g. CBI
Counter arguments:
- Leads to tyranny of minority e.g. opposition to HS2
- Undermines parliaments sovereignty e.g. private healthcare companies helping draft health and social
care act
- Not accountable despite influence on policy e.g. British Bankers Association
Evaluate the view that think tanks, lobbyists and pressure groups have little impact on government
decisions - past paper question - ANS For:
- They are only advisory e.g. Greenpeace and zero carbon emissions
- The government can resist pressure e.g. Stop the War coalition
- Aims may contradict government policy e.g. 7 day a week NHS, BMA opposition failed
Counter arguments:
- Can influence policy if insider pressure group or lobbyist e.g. Anthony Browne chief executive of BBA
wrote Johnson's manifesto and attacked government on immigration policy
,- Provides scrutiny e.g. Greenpeace emails members regarding government achievements and progress
- Can provide expertise e.g. Adam Smith Institute used by Blair
Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than government
legislation in defending and promoting rights in the UK - past paper question - ANS For:
- Help citizens access their rights e.g. Freedom of Information Act used by PGs to uncover issues like
expenses scandals
- Forefront of securing rights in the UK e.g. lowering voting age and womens rights, votes at 16 coalition
launched in 2003
- Protect the rights of minorities e.g. Stonewall and section 28 being banned
Counter arguments:
- Its the government who create legislation that defends rights e.g. The Equality Act 2010
- The HRA has revolutionised rights protection in the UK e.g. explicit and codified, used to challenge the
freezing of terrorists bank assets
- All major rights in the UK owe their existence to legislation which protect minorities e.g.
decriminalisation of homosexuality and gay marriage
Evaluate the view that judges are better at defending rights than politicians - ANS For:
- They can exercise the rule of law e.g. HRA, banning prisoners voting and whole life sentences
- Freedom from criticism ensures judicial independence e.g. ruled whole life sentences where a breach
of article 3 in the ECHR, politicians may have disagreed
- Judicial neutrality through political restrictions and legal training e.g. if even judge is pro environmental
causes, they cannot join the Green Party of Greenpeace
, Counter arguments:
- Undemocratic and unaccountable e.g. in 2014 there were 11 white men, 1 whites woman and in the
court of appeal not a single ethnic minority judge
- Ministers are still willing to publicly criticise e.g. 2013 Home Secretary May said judges were 'ignoring
rules' aimed at deporting more foreign criminals
- Judges thought to be pro Conservative e.g. did nothing to challenge Thatchers anti trade union
legislation, Lord Philips criticised the use of mandatory sentences
Evaluate the view that parliament is better at defending rights than judges - ANS For:
- Parliament has a history of defending rights e.g. HRA
- MPs represent their constituents e.g. when universal credit was cut by £20 in Oct 2021, MPs raised the
issue in the commons
- Democratically accountable e.g. John vs Hirst 2003
Counter arguments:
- Dominated by the governing party e.g. kill the bill
- Role of House of Lords undermines democratic judgement e.g. Parliament act 1949
- MPs may be reluctant to champion the cause of human rights if it benefits unpopular element e.g.
Anti-terrorism crime and security act
Evaluate the view that a British Bill of Rights is essential to the effective protection of rights in the UK -
ANS For:
- Accountable government e.g. PCSC bill could be restricted
- Educational benefits e.g. BLM 2020
