AO1: Pressure groups have been at the forefront of securing rights in the UK AO2: Pressure groups speak up on behalf of others and articulate their demands, the campaign for lowering the voting age and women’s rights came about through pressure group actions AO3: We can conclude that government legislation simply reacts to public demand and complies with well supported pressure groups AO1: Pressure groups protect the rights of minority groups. AO2: When pressure groups raise the injustice faced by minority groups, they make the government act. The campaign for Gay Rights was garnered by groups such as Stonewall and Liberty AO3: We can conclude that pressure applied to the government by pressure groups for minorities are the key agent of change AO1: Pressure groups force the Government to uphold rights by using judicial review AO2: There have been many cases of ministers who undermined rights being taken to court by pressure groups. e.g. Poundland case, Miller v DExEU AO3: Hence, pressure groups are able to use a variety of means to defend and promote rights AO1: Pressure groups help citizens to access their rights. Just having laws is not enough. AO2: The example of the FoI illustrates this well. Pressure groups use the Act to uncover issues to bring to the public’s attention AO3: We can conclude that the existence of legislation is insufficient in protecting rights, it needs pressure groups to help citizens to access it. government legislation in defending and promoting rights in the UK.

AO1: In the UK it is governments who create legislation to promote and defend rights, through parliament. AO2: Rights protection may be promoted and supported by many, but it is only through government legislation created through Parliament that citizen's rights advance, eg HRA, Equalities Act, FoI AO3: We can conclude that it is only the plethora of legislation which has grown considerably over time that has protected and defended citizens’ rights AO1: The Human Rights Act has revolutionised rights protection in the UK. AO2: Pressure groups use this piece of government legislation to promote rights, but without it, they would be ineffective. AO3: It is thus the Government and politicians elected to Parliament that have to power and scope to create legislation. AO1: All major rights in the UK owe their existence to legislation – the right to vote, equal pay, sexual and racial discrimination – all arose via legislation AO2: For example, the de-criminalisation of homosexuality and Gay Marriage may not have been passed but for determined legislators AO3: Thus, governments have the power and ability to legislate – whereas pressure groups only