The advantages and disadvantages of different influences on ParliamentLearning Objectives•Describe the role the Law Commission, politics, the media and pressure group have on influencing Parliamentary law making• Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of these influences on Parliament

Date:Date: Wednesday 3 May 2023

Specification Link•Outline of influences on Parliament: role of the Law Commission; political, media and pressure group influences

Starter – For each influence, tell your partner WHAT it is, WHY it has an influence on Parliamentary law making and How it exercises this influence

The Law CommissionThe Media Pressure Groups Political Parties

The Challenge• Using your knowledge from last lesson and some new information today, you are

going to attempt your first exam question.• You are then going to peer assess using the mark scheme• We will choose the highest scoring answer in each category to use as a model

answer

Eye on the examDescribe any one influence operating on Parliament in the

law-making process. (10 marks)

Codification Means bringing together of all the law on a particular topic into one Act of Parliament.

Consolidation Means bringing together of all the statutory provisions relating to a particular area into one Act of Parliament.

RepealThe idea is to make the law more understandable and accessible.

Removal of laws that have no further use.Once passed can generally only be repealed or altered by another act.

Government Autonomous (suggest changes and create new areas)

Others (Academics) Criminal Attempts Act 1981

How does it work? Research Working paper Consultation Report

Who can refer?

Law Commission

Advantages

6

Possesses a large amount of expertise

Large amount of research carried out

Well informed and helps to make good law

Independent (all areas kept under review not just those the

government is interested in)

May decide to carry out an investigation itself

About a third of recommendations not

implemented.

Government not obliged to carry out recommendations

Government does not have to consult when it

implements law

Investigations too lengthy and takes too long to come

to fruition

Lack of thoroughness as investigates up to 30

issues at a time

Disadvantages

Sectional Pressure Groups

• Exist to further interests of a section of society

• Professional bodies are good examples of these

• Degree of influence relies on governmental support for cause

• Larger groups better supported as represent large section of society

• Large groups are wealthy and can carry electoral support at election time

• May have direct access to ministers and MPs

• Because of wealth and influence of these groups it is rare for government to introduce a law that affects these groups without consulting them

• Promote a particular ideal or belief• Greenpeace – environment; RSPCA – animals; F4J – child

access• Influence much less• Less likely to be consulted and less likely to have governmental

links• Well publicised groups can have a big impact• RSPCA used many successful methods to be a part of the

Animal Welfare Act 2006 • Sometimes one person may campaign• Mary Whitehouse had some success Protection of Children Act

1978• Media is very important to these Cause Pressure Groups• For instance Jamie Oliver had some input to the The Education

(Nutritional Standards for School Food) (England) Regulations 2007

Cause Pressure Groups

Pressure GroupsKeywords: Sectional, Promotional (Cause)

Advantages• Raise public awareness

• Raise awareness and remind parliament about the importance of an issue

• Some have huge membership (bigger than the the parties)

• Possess considerable expertise

• Biased in favour of their cause

• Views held passionately (leads to dodgy tactics)

• Outsider groups have no contact with Parliament therefore have limited say in new laws

• Opinions held may only be that of a small section of society

Disadvantages

Media and public opinion• Newspaper often campaign to reform the law.

• Can you think of any recent examples of campaigns and the newspapers that started them?

• There is often pressure to change the law from a number of influences working together (e.g. pressure groups and the media)

• Example – The Double Jeopardy Rule – resulted in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (retrial after compelling new evidence)

• Stephen Lawrence Case – acquittal – media pressure – Law Commission

• Carry out the Snowdrop Case Study 9

Advantages• Raise government

awareness and inform them of concerns held by public – Snowdrop is a good example of this

• Media also raises public awareness – which helps the government convince the public to accept its electoral mandate

10

• Radio and TV required to remain politically neutral not the case with newspapers – Newspapers can become politicised

• Newspapers out to make money – have an agenda to sell newspapers – Daily Mail and Princess Diana

• Easily whip up a moral panic in the public – News of the World ‘Name and Shame Campaign’

Disadvantages

Political Parties• When there is a general election all parties publish a list of reforms

they want to implement = Manifesto• Largest party becomes government• Has up to 5 years to enact its manifesto• Most reforms will be put before Parliament to become an act• Government has say on what becomes law and what does not

11

Advantages• Each party has its proposals for

reform ready so that if they elected they know what they wish to do

• Government has a majority in the House means that most laws it proposes will be passed – law making more efficient

12

Disadvantages• If new party elected at next

election they can repeal the laws their predecessors passed

• Changes can therefore be costly and open to criticism

12

Eye on the examDescribe any one influence operating on Parliament in the

law-making process. (10 marks)