Influences on Parliamentary Law Making Flashcards
(19 cards)
Influences on Parliamentary Law Making
Political Influence
The Media
Public Opinion
Pressure Groups
Lobbyists
The Law Commission
Political Influence
The governments manifesto— during the campaign before a general election, each political party publishes a programme of policies and reforms that it wants to carry out if they become the government, many of which will require legislation, it is designed to persuade the electorate to vote for that party
The party that wins an overall majority of seats in the House of Commons will be formally invited by the King to form the Government with the political mandate for making changes promised in the manifesto. The government has the life of the Parliament (up to 5 years) to fulfil its promises.
Legislation planned for each session of Parliament (one year) is announced in the
King’s speech It is written by the Prime
minister and other senior ministers , An example of an Act of Parliament influenced by a manifesto commitment is the European Union Referendum Act 2015.
The party that wins the most seats in an election becomes the government.
Advantages of Politcial Influence
The gov has majority seats in HOC , every law they propose will be passed— making the law making process more efficient
Each parties proposals are clear and ready so people know what will happen if they vote for them
Demonstrates democratic accountability
Disadvantages of Political Influence
Difficult to fulfil promises particularly without an overall majority. E.g. 2010 Lib Dem and Conservative coalition government re Tuition fees.
If crisis occurs (Covid 19) governments focus will take measures to deal with crisis – may differ from manifesto commitments
Political party with majority seats can force through their policy proposals
Gov with small majority: difficult /impossible to change law
The Media
Public can demand new laws , usually encouraged or supported by media campaigns , known to influence gov by the way in which they both pick up on and add weight to public pool of bring issue to public’s attention
Advantages of The Media
UK’s free press is able to criticise government policy
Can bring attention to issues important to the public by raising public awareness
Raise awareness on individual issues
Can represent minority interests
Disadvantages of The Media
News can easily be manipulated
Sources are not always reliable
Newspapers sensationalise an issue to expand their readership
No regulation on expression of view on social media
Public Opinion
frequently favours either legalising or banning of a particular matter,
often in response to controversial events.
The pressure on government exerted by public opinion can be strong; the party in power will wish to remain popular in order to be re-elected when the public next have an opportunity to vote
Advantages of Public Opinion
Demonstrates democratic accountability, giving ‘voice’ to people
Enables legislation to keep up with changes in society
Disadvantages of Public Opinion
Responding too quickly to high profile incidents can lead to badly drafted law (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991)
Pressure Groups
Organisations that seek to influence the direction of law and policy on the basis of particular interests or causes.
Cause groups campaign on a particular issue: If a pressure group begins to reflect mass public opinion, and the membership of the group increases, it can exert significant pressure on law-makers to reconsider the law in certain areas. (The Hunting Act 2004)
Interest / sectional groups represent the interests of a particular group of people / specified membership: Can be even more influential in the law-making process, especially if they are ‘insider’ groups. This is because they are often consulted by Government at an early stage of the law-making process and, therefore, heavily involved in forming legislation.
(Deregulation Act 2015) reduced burden of legislation on business
Advantages of Pressure Groups
Bring expertise, important scientific discoveries to the government’s attention
Draw attention to minority causes
Often raise important issues
Disadvantages of Pressure Groups
Not reflective of the population as a whole
Can have conflicting/competing interests
Lobbyists
Companies acting on behalf of businesses, big charities, pressure groups.
They target individual members of parliament to support their cause.
(Enterprise Act 2016) capping the maximum salary for public sector workers.
Advantages of Lobbyists
A backbench MP can use the private members Bill session to introduce a Bill trying to reform the law how a pressure group wants
Greater expertise and influence
If successful may be taken by government &
laws introduced
Disadvantages of Lobbyists
A Bill introduced by one MP is unlikely to get passed without widespread support.
Can still be unsuccessful or have a delayed response
Government ministers may be unwilling to deal with requests
The Law commission
An independent body to review the law and propose reform.
(Coroners and Justice Act 2009)
Advantages of the Law Commission
Researched by legal experts
Where areas of law are considered
Partially independent and have aims of improving the law
Old , irrelevant laws abolished / removed
Disadvantages of the Law Commission
Parliament does not implement all proposals
Gov not bound to conduct LC before any change to parliament
Gov not bound to accept LC recommendations
Parliament may not have time to consider and debate “pure” law
