5. How Pressure Groups Exert Influence?

The choice of targets and methods used by the pressure groups depends on two factors.

First, how effective is a particular strategy likely to be?

Second, given the group’s aims and resources, which strategies are available? Pressure groups can exert influence through a variety of ways, such as: Ministers and Civil Servants

Ministers and civil servants work at the heart of the ‘core executive’, the network of bodies headed by the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which develop the government policy. This is where power lies. Many groups therefore aspire to get in touch with senior civil servants and ministers to get some sort of influence over

the policies while they are being implemented.

Although such influence may involve formal and informal meetings with ministers, routine behind-the scenes meetings with civil servants and membership of policy committees may be the most important way of exerting influence.