Evaluate the view that the actions of pressure groups have been more significant than
government legislation in defending and promoting rights in the UK.
INTRO-A Pressure Group is an organised group that does not hold candidates for election,
but seeks to influence and change government policy or legislation. In Britain, the number
of political parties is on the small scale compared to the mass number of pressure groups
that run into their thousands. To an extent they are more significant in promoting and
defending rights through the protection of minority rights, holding the government to
account and their continuous success rate
More SIGNIFICANT Less SIGNIFICANT
Pressure groups protect the rights of minority All major rights in the UK owe their existence to
groups which might have been ignored before government made legislation not pressure
-When pressure groups raise the injustice faced groups – the right to vote, equal pay, sexual
by minority groups, they make the government and racial discrimination – all arose via
act. The campaign for Gay Rights was garnered legislation
by groups such as Stonewall and Liberty For example, the de-criminalisation of
conclude that pressure applied to the homosexuality and Gay Marriage may not have
government by pressure groups for minorities been passed but for determined legislators
are the key agent of change -The equality act 2010 prohibits harassment
and victimisation
Thus, governments have the power and ability
to legislate – whereas pressure groups only
have the ability to influence not create
Hold the government accountable to uphold The Human Rights Act has
rights through judicial review revolutionised rights protection
-There have been many cases of ministers who in the UK.
undermined rights being taken to court by Pressure groups use this piece of government
pressure groups. legislation to promote rights, but without it,
-e.g.-stonewall overturning ban on LGBT they would be ineffective.
services in 1998 -Judiciary has a role to protect civil liberties
-Hence, pressure groups are able to use a -It is thus the Government and politicians
variety of means to defend and promote rights elected to Parliament that have to power and
scope to create legislation.
Successful The government is the supreme law making
Pressure groups have been at the forefront of body- pressure groups have no legislative
securing rights in the UK-proven to be power
successful In the UK it is governments who create
Pressure groups speak up on behalf of others legislation to promote and defend rights,
and articulate their demands, the campaign for through parliament.
lowering the voting age and women’s rights -Rights protection may be promoted and
came about through pressure group actions supported by many, but it is only through
-overall-government legislation simply reacts to government legislation created through
public demand and complies with well Parliament that citizen's rights advance, eg
supported pressure group HRA, Equalities Act
-Protected by the ECHR
-We can conclude that it is only the plethora of
legislation which has grown considerably over
time that has protected and defended citizens’
rights
government legislation in defending and promoting rights in the UK.
INTRO-A Pressure Group is an organised group that does not hold candidates for election,
but seeks to influence and change government policy or legislation. In Britain, the number
of political parties is on the small scale compared to the mass number of pressure groups
that run into their thousands. To an extent they are more significant in promoting and
defending rights through the protection of minority rights, holding the government to
account and their continuous success rate
More SIGNIFICANT Less SIGNIFICANT
Pressure groups protect the rights of minority All major rights in the UK owe their existence to
groups which might have been ignored before government made legislation not pressure
-When pressure groups raise the injustice faced groups – the right to vote, equal pay, sexual
by minority groups, they make the government and racial discrimination – all arose via
act. The campaign for Gay Rights was garnered legislation
by groups such as Stonewall and Liberty For example, the de-criminalisation of
conclude that pressure applied to the homosexuality and Gay Marriage may not have
government by pressure groups for minorities been passed but for determined legislators
are the key agent of change -The equality act 2010 prohibits harassment
and victimisation
Thus, governments have the power and ability
to legislate – whereas pressure groups only
have the ability to influence not create
Hold the government accountable to uphold The Human Rights Act has
rights through judicial review revolutionised rights protection
-There have been many cases of ministers who in the UK.
undermined rights being taken to court by Pressure groups use this piece of government
pressure groups. legislation to promote rights, but without it,
-e.g.-stonewall overturning ban on LGBT they would be ineffective.
services in 1998 -Judiciary has a role to protect civil liberties
-Hence, pressure groups are able to use a -It is thus the Government and politicians
variety of means to defend and promote rights elected to Parliament that have to power and
scope to create legislation.
Successful The government is the supreme law making
Pressure groups have been at the forefront of body- pressure groups have no legislative
securing rights in the UK-proven to be power
successful In the UK it is governments who create
Pressure groups speak up on behalf of others legislation to promote and defend rights,
and articulate their demands, the campaign for through parliament.
lowering the voting age and women’s rights -Rights protection may be promoted and
came about through pressure group actions supported by many, but it is only through
-overall-government legislation simply reacts to government legislation created through
public demand and complies with well Parliament that citizen's rights advance, eg
supported pressure group HRA, Equalities Act
-Protected by the ECHR
-We can conclude that it is only the plethora of
legislation which has grown considerably over
time that has protected and defended citizens’
rights
