Pressure Groups

Key features of pressure groups

1. Pressure groups have a narrow issue focus, sometimes even a single issue.

2. Pressure groups unite over a shared cause or belief rather than a shared ideology.

3. Pressure groups exert influence from the outside rather than attempting to win government power.

How are pressure groups different from political parties?

Political parties tend to have a broad focus encompassing various issues. On the other hand, pressure groups tend to focus on a single issue. Because of this, there are more pressure groups than there are political parties.

Another difference is that pressure groups do not seek political office. Instead, they exercise influence from the outside. Although they have their differences, both pressure groups and political parties may form part of a broader social movement.

What are the different types of pressure groups?

There are four main pressure groups, insider and outsider pressure groups and sectional and promotional groups. Below are the definitions of these four types of pressure groups. We will be looking at more specific examples later in this article.

Table 1 - Types of Pressure Groups

It is important to note some pressure groups have both sectional and promotional characteristics, and members may have motivations for either. Additionally, some pressure groups can hide sectional motivations by adopting the language of a promotional group. The status of any pressure group may change over time.

What are the functions of pressure groups?

Now that we have described some of the different types of pressure groups, let's take a look at how they affect the political system in the UK.

Table 2 - Functions of Pressure Groups

What are some examples of pressure groups?

We have looked in detail at the definitions and functions of different pressure groups. It is also essential to be aware of specific examples for each type of pressure group.

Insider groups examples

As mentioned above, insider groups greatly affect policy decisions in the UK through regular interactions with the government. Below are some examples of high-profile pressure groups.

The British Medical Association

The British Medical Association is a high-profile pressure group that operates both on mass media and behind the scenes with the government. They are a Trade Union for Doctors, so they also fall under the sectional group category and an insider group due to their work with the government.

Fig. 1 - British Medical Association House in Tavistock square, London

The Commission for Equality and Human Rights

The Commission for Equality and Human rights is a good example of an insider group as the group's existence depends on the government. They promote and uphold human rights ideals and laws across England, Scotland and Wales.

Outsider group examples

Outsider groups don't have specific ties to the government and must use public campaigns in order to gain supporters for their cause. Below are some examples of outsider groups.

The Animal Liberation Front (ALF)

The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) is so far removed from the government that some have described them as extremist. For example, in 2006, members of the ALF took responsibility for a firebomb attack on Lynn Fairbanks, a UCLA researcher. Their main purpose is to protest against animal cruelty, and they describe themselves as a decentralised organisation.

The Countryside Alliance

The Countryside Alliance is another example of an outsider group. This pressure group campaigns on behalf of field sports, including hunting, shooting, and fishing in rural communities. This group's ideology directly contradicts some government policies, including the illegal hunting of foxes.

Sectional group examples

Sectional groups, also known as interest groups, represent a certain group within society such as teachers, labourers, or specific religions. Take a look at the examples below to get a better understanding of sectional groups and their causes.

The National Education Union (NEU)

The National Education Union (NEU) is a sectional pressure group formed in 2017. It is the largest education union in Europe and represents more than 460,000 members.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) also works on behalf of particular interests. On its website, CBI claims to advocate for 190,000 businesses. They also state they comprise around 1,500 direct members and 188,500 non-members.

Fig. 3 - Logo for the Confederation of British Industry

Promotional group examples

Promotional groups are centered around specific causes and aim to further their movement through philanthropy and service. There are usually no membership requirements to join these groups.

The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB)

The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) is an example of a promotional group. They are the UK's largest nature conservation charity and aim to protect and conserve nature and wildlife.

The Red Cross

The Red Cross is also an example of a non-governmental organisation that falls under a promotional group. They describe themselves as UK's neutral and impartial global humanitarian network. They currently have over 17,200 volunteers and 3,400 staff.

Fig. 4 - Logo of the British Red Cross

Pressure groups in the UK

There are three main ways that pressure groups in the UK achieve their aims. These are through direct action, lobbying, and strikes.

Direct action: direct action is sometimes through civil disobedience. For example, Brian Haw held a 5-year anti-war vigil outside Parliament. Another example is Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), a group campaigning since 1999 to stop animal testing. They subjected staff to harassment and intimidation.

Lobbying: this method targets ministers and civil servants who hold knowledge or power within the policy area the pressure group wants to influence. For example, the Royal College of Nursing frequently visits the Department of Health.

Strikes: another method used in the UK is strikes or work stoppages. Transport for London (TFL) lost £13m in fares due to Tube strikes resulting from two strikes in April 2022. About 10,000 workers from the Rail Union RMT walked out at midnight on 1 March and 3 March in a dispute over job losses and pensions.