LAW P2 ELS (Influences on parliament)

Question 1

What are the different influences on parliament?

Answer 1

• Political influence
• Public opinion/media
• Pressure groups

Question 2

What is the political influence on parliament?

Answer 2

• Before a general election all parties must publish a manifesto
• The party with the most MPs forms the government, meaning they have a majority in the house of commons so their political agenda can be pushed through. Programme announced in King’s speech
• Influence demonstrated by the number of government bills passed each year (around 30-40)
• But even smaller political parties can have an influence (e.g. a green party MP by asking questions in parliament)

Question 3

What are the advantages of political influences?

Answer 3

• Each political party has its proposals for reform ready
• The law making process is efficient if the part proposing the legislation has a majority

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of the political influences?

Answer 4

• Each new government may repeal the previous governments laws which is costly
• A small majority may restrict the laws a government can pass
• A coalition will mean compromise is needed

Question 5

What is the media influence on parliament

Answer 5

• The media is channels through which information is transmitted to the public, such as social media, television, websites, print media
• The sun newspaper have a big influence as they tend to publish lots of news regarding the election and their opinions, such as dissing the labour party

Question 6

What are the advantages of the media influence?

Answer 6

• The media can raise public awareness of an issue
• This can generate public support
• The media can support the work of pressure groups

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of the media influence?

Answer 7

• Creating a panic
• Media may represent a small percentage of the population
• The media manipulate the news and create public opinion (fake news)

Question 8

What is the pressure groups influence on parliament?

Answer 8

• Sectional pressure groups: seek to represent the common interests of a particular section of society and membership is often restricted to that section of society, for example, the national union of journalists
• Cause pressure groups: these have open membership from the public and promote a cause
• Tactics used by pressure groups: meetings, written letters, e-petitions, demonstrations, protests
• Insider pressure groups: these have close links with the government, they will give advice and will be consulted prior to legislation which may affect that group

-Outside pressure groups: these groups often take action of which the government often disapproves

Question 9

What are the advantages of pressure groups?

Answer 9

• Can raise public awareness of wide range of issues and keep parliament/MPs in touch
• Have expertise on their issue
• Insider groups have the ear of decision makers

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of pressure groups?

Answer 10

• Undemocratic as may not represent majority views
• Two groups may disagree
• Outsider groups can use undesirable or illegal tactics