LAW REFORM : INFLUENCES ON PLM

Question 1

MEDIA

Answer 1

• The public can demand new laws, usually encouraged or supported by media campaigns
• Media are known to influence the government by the way in which they pick up on and add weight to public opinion or bring an issue to the publics attention

Question 2

MEDIA ADVANTAGES

Answer 2

• UK’s free press is able to criticise the government publicly
• Raise awareness of individual issues
• Can represent minority issues

Question 3

MEDIA DISADVANTAGES

Answer 3

• News can be easily manipulated
• Sources are not always reliable
• Newspapers sensationalise an issue to expand readership
• No regulation on expression of views on social media

Question 4

POLITICAL

Answer 4

• The government’s and other parties manifesto
• Manifesto : programmes of policies and reforms designed to persuade the electorate to vote for them
• If voted in the government have a mandate to follow the promises they made
• Legislation is then announced in the King’s Speech

Question 5

POLITICAL ADVANTAGES

Answer 5

• The government has a majority in the HoC meaning every law they propose will be passed which makes the law making process effective
• Each parties proposals are clear so people know what they are voting for

Question 6

POLITICAL DISADVANTAGES

Answer 6

• Difficult to fulfil promises without an overall majority
• If crisis occurs government focus will take measure sit deal with it so may not fulfil manifesto commitments

Question 7

LOBBYISTS

Answer 7

• Companies acting on behalf of businesses, big charities and pressure groups
• Target individual MPs to support their cause

Question 8

LOBBYISTS ADVANTAGES

Answer 8

• A backbench MP can use the Private Member Bill session to introduce a Bill trying to reform the law how a pressure group wants
• Greater expertise and influence

Question 9

LOBBYISTS DISADVANTAGES

Answer 9

• A bill introduced by one MP is unlikely to get passed without widespread support
• Government ministers may be unwilling to deal with lobbyists

Question 10

PRESSURE GROUPS

Answer 10

• Organisations that seek to influence the direction of laws and policy on the basis of a particular cause
• Cause groups and interest groups

Question 11

PRESSURE GROUPS ADVANTAGES

Answer 11

• Bring expertise and important scientific discoveries to the government’s attention
• Draw attention to minority causes

Question 12

PRESSURE GROUPS DISADVANTAGES

Answer 12

• Not reflective of the population as a whole
• Can have conflicting or competing interests

Question 13

THE LAW COMMISSION

Answer 13

• An independent body who review the law and propose reform

Question 14

THE LAW COMMISSION ADVANTAGES

Answer 14

• Researched by legal experts
• Politically independent

Question 15

THE LAW COMMISSION DISADVANTAGES

Answer 15

• Government is not bound to consult before making changes
• Parliament may not have time to consider changes