Insider Pressure Groups As They Work With The Government

A pressure group of people with the same interest who want to influence decision makers such as government and other large organisations. There are two types of pressure groups, insider pressure group and outsider pressure groups. An insider groups is a group which the government has a good relationship with and seeks information from when formulating new policies. An outsider group has to work much harder as they do not ‘have the ear’ of the government. These kinds of pressure groups will act out to try and catch the attention if the government. Both pressure groups aim to influence decision makers by drawing attention to specific issues by protesting, lobbying, signing petitions etc. Some of these pressure groups and tactics are said to

Insider groups usually have expert knowledge. British Medical Association (BMA) are more likely to be a insider group as they have knowledge that the government could use when making new health policies. This means that insiders groups do not have to work as hard to catch the governments attention. However, insider groups must be professional and well organised as they work with the government. They have to compromise and be aware that any action that goes against the work of the government could result In them losing their “insider status”. Outsider groups have to work much harder than insider groups when trying to get the attention of the government. They have to protest, contact MP’s and even get involved in public stunts. This does not mean outsider groups are not effective in influencing government decision making. An example of this was the Gurkha Justice Campaign. The Gurkhas were from Nepal and have been apart of the British Amy for almost 200 years. The Gurkhas were discriminated in the uk and were denied many basic rights. Their campaign gained the attention of Joanna Lumley, who’s father was saved by the Gurkhas, and with her help they were able to gains the support of the media. They carried out petitions and rallied and lobbied politicians which led to the government being defeated in the House of Commons. This made this outsider group very effective as they were able to reverse a government