How do political parties influence the law that Parliament makes?

Each party publishes a manifesto before a general election, and the party that forms the government uses its majority to turn its manifesto promises into Acts of Parliament.

Give an example of an Act passed to fulfil a manifesto commitment.

The Human Rights Act 1998, which delivered Labour's 1997 manifesto promise to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

What is the Salisbury Convention?

The convention that the House of Lords does not vote down at second reading a government Bill that carries out a manifesto commitment, because the government has an electoral mandate for it.

What are an advantage and a disadvantage of political influence on law making?

It is democratic, because voters chose the manifesto; but laws can be reversed when the government changes, as when the Identity Cards Act 2006 was repealed by the Identity Documents Act 2010.

How can public opinion influence Parliament?

MPs respond to what voters want in order to be re-elected, and public pressure can be shown through campaigns, marches and parliamentary e-petitions, which are considered for debate once they reach 100,000 signatures.

Give an example of legislation passed in response to public opinion.

After the Dunblane school shooting in 1996, the Snowdrop Campaign led to the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997, which banned most private ownership of handguns.

OCR A-Level Law H418

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Law Reform

Influences on Parliament

3 things to know
Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on how political parties, manifestos and the Salisbury Convention, public opinion, media campaigns, sectional and cause pressure groups, and lobbyists influence Parliament, with examples and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What are an advantage and a disadvantage of the media's influence on law making?

Key term

What are two disadvantages of pressure groups as an influence on Parliament?

Key term

What are an advantage and a disadvantage of lobbyists as an influence on law making?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How do political parties influence the law that Parliament makes?
Model answer
Each party publishes a manifesto before a general election, and the party that forms the government uses its majority to turn its manifesto promises into Acts of Parliament.
2
Give an example of an Act passed to fulfil a manifesto commitment.
Model answer
The Human Rights Act 1998, which delivered Labour's 1997 manifesto promise to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
3
What is the Salisbury Convention?
Model answer
The convention that the House of Lords does not vote down at second reading a government Bill that carries out a manifesto commitment, because the government has an electoral mandate for it.
4
What are an advantage and a disadvantage of political influence on law making?
Model answer
It is democratic, because voters chose the manifesto; but laws can be reversed when the government changes, as when the Identity Cards Act 2006 was repealed by the Identity Documents Act 2010.
5
How can public opinion influence Parliament?
Model answer
MPs respond to what voters want in order to be re-elected, and public pressure can be shown through campaigns, marches and parliamentary e-petitions, which are considered for debate once they reach 100,000 signatures.
6
Give an example of legislation passed in response to public opinion.
Model answer
After the Dunblane school shooting in 1996, the Snowdrop Campaign led to the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997, which banned most private ownership of handguns.

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