The rise of single issue pressure groups

One of my colleagues, Andy Lawrence, has sent me details of a couple of great stories on pressure groups from the BBC website.

Ideal for consolidation or revision.

The first focuses on No2ID, set up by Phil Booth after a trip to the pub!

“There are currently about 40,000 NO2ID members but it continues to be run on a shoestring says Mr Booth, who works full time for expenses only, and relies on the efforts of its members around the country.

It only recently gained its first paid member of staff thanks to a grant from the Joseph Rowntree Trust.

As so often with single issue campaigns, it is not a simple to job to judge levels of success.

NO2ID failed to derail Mr Blunkett’s bill, despite apparent pledges of support from more than 80 Labour MPs, but it was a significantly changed and delayed scheme by the time it passed Parliament.”

Read more about the group here

So what does the emergence of groups like this say? Is there a new style of pressure politics at play?

“The second article focuses on the rise of single issue groups, examining the reasons behind their growth and the implications of action by these groups.
Labour MP Paul Flynn recently launched an outspoken attack on single issue groups on his widely-read blog, accusing some of “bloated empire-building” and criticised Shelter ignoring good news in favour of carefully-orchestrated “sob-ins”.

Attempts by government to open dialogue with groups who vehemently oppose their policies have also had mixed results.
Greenpeace and others walked out of the government consultation exercise on nuclear power, amid concerns they were merely being used to add legitimacy to a decision that had already been made.

But with MPs on all sides casting increasingly envious glances at the public support and credibility enjoyed by single issue campaigns, their influence can only grow stronger.”

Read more here