Other Collective Orgs & Groups
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 1.3.5
Think Tanks
Think tanks are a collection of experts who provide advice and solutions to specific political, social or economic problems. Think tanks can research policy, and influence policymakers.
The influence of think tanks
- Think tanks try to influence public policy and policy debate through having direct access to political decision-makers, through use of the media and using other policy organisations to distribute their work more widely.
- Think tanks aim to generate and publish policy ideas based on their research which politicians have not thought about or considered.
The Legatum Institute
- The Legatum Institute has gained an influence on parliament and government ministers who support Britain leaving the EU.
- The Legatum Institute proposed that Britain leave the EU and remove tariffs.
- The Legatum Institute helped draw up a letter with Boris Johnson and Michael Gove to PM Theresa May, which outlined certain Brexit demands.
- Legatum members held private meetings with civil servants and were referred to as having an influence by Michael Gove in the House of Commons.
- It has become less central in UK policy debates since Brexit was completed.
Centre for Policy Studies
- The Centre for Policy Studies has strong historical and ongoing links with Conservative Party policy development.
- It regularly engages with Conservative MPs, participates in party conferences, and hosts events featuring Conservative politicians as speakers.
- Its influence continues mainly through policy papers and ideological alignment with Conservative economic thinking rather than direct government decision-making.
Lobbyists
Lobbyists are paid to influence decision-makers in the government, including MPs and House of Lords members, to create policies and act in the interests of their clients.
How lobbyists influence politics
- Influence can be achieved through political donations, gifts and meals.
- Lobbyists work on behalf of organisations, and allow organisations to have influence over decisions that impact or affect them.
- Lobbyist influence can be most significant when lobbyists have significant access to, and personal contacts who are, politicians and decision makers.
- Lobbying in the UK is regulated by the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.
E.g. Hanbury Strategy
- Hanbury Strategy was set up by Ameet Gill, a former special adviser to former PM David Cameron, and Paul Stephenson, a director for the campaign group Vote Leave.
- Both founders have personal connections to senior decision makers within the Conservatives.
- Hanbury Strategy lobby primarily around Brexit issues that affect their clients.
Corporations
Corporations can have access to the government and therefore can have significant influence over policy-making.
Corporate political influence
- Certain corporations are consulted by the government on policies to gain their insight into the practicality of proposals.
- Corporations try to influence political decision-makers by controlling of sectors of the economy so they can put pressure on decision-makers and gain more favourable policies and laws.
- Corporations can influence political decisions by funding political parties, which gives access to political decision-makers.
- Corporations often hire lobbyists to gain access.
Examples of corporate influence
- BMW and Airbus previously warned they could reduce investment and cut UK jobs in the event of a “hard Brexit”.
- Bernie Ecclestone donated £1 million to Labour before the 1997 General Election and later benefited when the Labour government sought an exemption for Formula One from an EU ban on tobacco advertising.
Test yourself on Other Collective Orgs & Groups
Which party does the Centre for Policy Studies have strong links to?
Which of these statements is true about think tanks?
Which of these organisations is an example of a lobbying firm?
Who do lobbyists act on behalf of?
Which are examples of how corporations can access political power?