Do pressure groups have a positive on effect on British Politics?
...e in the winter of "Discontent" during the Labour Government of 1976 - 79. The other kind of pressure group, the Cause groups, aim to publicise their causes in the best ways possible, an example of this is the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament who organized many public meetings and demonstrations. There are many other cause groups such as Friends of the Earth or Greenpeace; they will use media or propaganda to win support and influence. The power of pressure groups varies according to the 'weapons' they have at their disposal. For example, if a group has the ability to deny vital services or goods to the general public [such as air traffic controllers; power station workers] they are in a good bargaining position. The disadvantage is that the public may think they are being held to ransom and withdraw any sympathy or support that they have for the group. Equally, the government may choose to bring in the full power of the state - military units to replace striking fire-fighters for example - to extinguish such actions. Mere finance alone will not always achieve the desired ends of a pressure group, as British politicians are often protected from the full force of pressure groups. However the 'cash for questions scandal does suggest that some politicians can be 'bought'. The force of main political parties is far greater than the force of pressure groups, how ever they do seem to have a significant influence on today's government. Due to the liberal and democratic society we live in there are many opportunities for pressure groups to play a key part in the British decision-making process. The strength of numbers also helps pressure groups to gain power, this has been seen when the masses helped the National Union of Mineworkers to gain good pay deals through-out the 1970's though their influence strayed during the years of the iron lady (1979 - 1990). Low membership levels will dent the performance of a pressure group. For instance, the Consumers Association has only 3 % paid up members of the population and they have proven them selves to be somewhat ineffective as a defensive group against poor practice by shopping outlets. Pressure groups can even aggravate legislation after it has been passed. In 1977, the National Union of ...