Insiders

Insider pressure groups have strong links to key decision makers and can be consulted by the government on policy making.

Therefore, they tend to be very powerful and hold long-term influence (in terms of political influence).

Those with the strongest influence may be consulted by the government. As much as the pressure groups seek access to politicians, the parliament may see access to the strongest pressure groups (depending on their specialities).

Example of action: Lobbying

Outsiders

Outsider pressure groups have none of the advantages that insider pressure groups have, they cannot expect to be consulted during the policy-making process, nor expect access to ministers/civil servants, rather, they have to work outside the governmental decision making process and, therefore, have less influence.

Example of action: Protesting (demonstrating)

Sectional

Sectional pressure groups seek to represent the common interests of a particular section of society.

Examples: Trade unions, employers’ associations. and professional bodies are all sectional groups. Note: Since sectional pressure groups are solely concerned with a particular section of society, membership is usually restricted to those involved with the group it represents. Note 2: If a pressure group is not restricted, it is not sectional. Note 3: Sectional pressure groups may also take par in promotional/causal groups, i.e., BMA - Improving the nation’s diet: the impact of ultra-processed food

Promotional/cause

Promotional pressure groups aim to promote a particular cause, and for this reason, are sometimes called ‘cause’ groups.

Since they are not self-interested (unlike [[#Sectional]]) in that the achievement of their objectives is not necessarily of direct professional or economic benefit to the members or the group.

Examples: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Stop HS2 (despite being highly sectional, it was a cause group since it was not just people being directly affected by it).