Pressure Groups and Lobbying

Beyond political parties, a wide range of "pressure groups" or "interest groups" tries to influence government policy. They include charities such as Oxfam and Shelter, environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, professional bodies such as the British Medical Association, and trade unions such as Unite and Unison. Their methods include public campaigns, lobbying MPs, research reports, court action and direct service delivery.

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The handbook treats joining and supporting such groups as a legitimate way of taking part in democracy alongside voting and standing for office. The right to join a trade union is protected in law, as is the right to peaceful protest under the Human Rights Act and common law.

You may be asked what a pressure group is, or what kinds of activity they take part in.

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These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. Pressure groups and lobby groups are organisations which try to influence government policy
2. Which TWO of the following do pressure and lobby groups do?
3. What charity works to preserve important buildings, coastline and countryside in the UK?
4. What organisations try to influence government policy?
5. National Trust is a charity that works to preserve important buildings, coastline and countryside
6. Which charity works to preserve important buildings?

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