Lobbying in the UK: Influence on Politics and Policy

Lobbying's Influence in the British Political System

The cultural context of British politics is a mixture of stability and change. The change is gradual and reflects the experiences of new generations. Young people participate in politics through new, unconventional channels, becoming more involved in a wide range of organized movements. Despite all the ups and downs experienced by this country (both world wars, economic decline, loss of empire, etc.), it continues to be a capitalist society governed by parliamentary institutions.

Lobbies and Their Influence

Lobbies in the British political system have a significant influence. Certain institutions, organizations, and associations are crucial when implementing policies or including certain matters on the agendas of politicians. The most important are economic organizations, which include businesses and unions. Their action is more prominent in the executive and administrative branches.

Key Economic Organizations

The largest employers' organization is the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). It consists of large companies that, after the first Thatcher government, sharply criticized the fiscal policy that directly affected businesses and greatly hindered exports and British investments. Relations with the Conservative government were generally based on dialogue and support, but they feared the consequences of integration into the European Monetary System.

The Institute of Directors is an organization that has more strongly supported conservative economic policies of privatization and public spending cuts. They accepted measures such as tax cuts, trade union reform, and economic wage regulations. Although no organization has established a formal association with the Conservative Party, a significant number of them contribute financially to the party's financing, and a high percentage of Conservative MPs are businesspeople.

Trade Unions

Unions exert a great influence, and their political function allowed the creation of the Labor Party in 1900. The largest central organization is the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

• Half of the unions are affiliated with the Labor Party, providing 7/8 of its members and their votes, and also collaborating to support them economically.
• In return, they choose 18 of the 29 national executive committee members and have 40% of the vote in the polling station that, since 1981, has elected the Labor leader.

Lobbyists are most directly linked to political parties. There has been a constant insistence on wage demands and ensuring basic social benefits for workers. Their relationship with the parties in government has experienced periods of cooperation and conflict in relation to fiscal policies.

There were confrontations with the Conservative government in 1926 that led to a general strike in the mining sector. During the Thatcher era, a miners' strike of great consequence was called, but the unions' political and economic influence declined due to low affiliation levels. This was a consequence of high unemployment, changes in the social composition of workers, an increase in the tertiary sector, and the emergence of specific public employee unions.

Private Associations and NGOs

The high level of association in Britain has been a constant that favors the creation of private associations and NGOs for various purposes (Amnesty International, Greenpeace, etc.). Most of the contacts established with government bodies occur through informal channels, such as meetings between officials and representatives of these organizations or even through telephone conversations. Sometimes, consultations and negotiations take place between these groups and members of government departments. Occasionally, a permanent communication channel has been opened, such as in areas like transport, education, the environment, or industry. Thus, mutual cooperation demonstrates the benefits for both players, ultimately benefiting the community interest.