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UK Politics Examples

Pressure Groups

Government U-Turn On Farmers Inheritance Tax - Example Of Outsider Pressure Group Success:

• On the 24th of December 2025, the UK government made concessions on its position on the “farms tax” following more than a year of sustained lobbying and protests by farmers.

  • The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced that the Agricultural and Business Property relief threshold would be increased from £1m to £2.5m. 

    • This represented a significant change from the inheritance tax reforms first set out in the 2024 budget, which critics had labelled as the "family farm tax”.

• Opposition to the policy had been widespread since 2024, including high-profile demonstrations in which farmers parked their tractors around Parliament Square. 

  • The government defended the U-turn, stating it had “listened to concerns of the farming community” and would take further steps to protect family farms and rural businesses. 

• The decision was welcomed by the National Farmers Union (NFU), a sectional pressure group representing the interests of farmers who were a vocal critic of the tax. 

  • The NFU used both insider and outsider tactics, including 2 “very constructive” meetings with the PM, submitting evidence to Select Committees and lobbying. This shows how insider methods allow pressure groups with contacts in government to shape policy from within. 

  • Outsider methods used by the group included high-profile demonstrations, a mass lobby event, and a petition gaining hundreds of thousands of signatures. 

    • This shows how outsider pressure group methods can successfully influence government policy by using protests to gain publicity, media attention and generate public and political support for their cause.

Minor Parties and the Party System

Reform UK’s Continued Strength - Example Of Minor Parties’ Influence:

• Since the 2024 General Election, Reform UK has seen a massive increase in their support in UK voting intention polls. 

  • In a January 2026 YouGov poll, the party had a 12 point lead against both the Tories and Labour, polling at 34%. 

  • Additionally, Reform has overtaken the Conservatives in terms of Party membership and the polls show gains especially concentrated in the 18-24 age category.

• This has put pressure on the major parties and driven issues such as immigration up the political agenda. The Prime Minister has drawn a series of dividing lines with Reform, and has toughened their rhetoric and policies against immigration. In the media the Labour Government is increasingly presenting Reform as the main opposition, rather than the Conservative Party.

  • Labour MPs who represent Red Wall constituencies where Reform is polling highest, led by Jo White the MP for Bassetlaw, have formed a new backbench faction to push Keir Starmer for a tougher stance on immigration - urging him to be more vocal about returns agreements and deportations. 

  • The faction has been able to influence the Government and Labour Party to take a strong stance on immigration.

• This shows that the UK is increasingly a multi-party system, and highlights the indirect influence over policy that minor parties can have. They can mobilise their public support to put issues on the political agenda and use the "spoiler effect" to pose an electoral threat.