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