How can citizens try to bring about political change?

Methods of Influencing Political Change

Voting

The right to vote in elections is an important way citizens can contribute to political change. By choosing representatives who share similar views, individuals can indirectly shape public policy.
Voting in referenda can directly influence political decisions on major issues. For example, the Brexit referendum in 2016 led to the UK leaving the European Union.
Beyond national elections, voting in local elections contributes to choosing local council members who make decisions on local services such as waste management and public libraries, influencing political change at a local level.

Political Parties and Trade Unions

Joining a political party enables individuals to participate in selecting candidates, developing party policies, and campaigning during elections.
Trade unions allow individuals to collectively campaign for rights within specific industries. Unions often interact with politicians and can make direct policy recommendations.
Both political parties and trade unions allow citizens to voice concerns collectively, thereby increasing their influence on political change.

Pressure Groups

Pressure groups are organizations that try to influence government policy on specific issues. For example, Greenpeace campaigns for environmental protection.
Some pressure groups can directly lobby MPs and policymakers through their networks, mobilizing resources to bring about change.
Other pressure groups may aim to influence public opinion so that policymakers are pressured to change or adopt new policies in response.

Direct Action

Direct action can be another method citizens use to instigate political change. This can involve peaceful protests, strikes, or even acts of civil disobedience.
These tactics aim to bring attention to specific causes, put pressure on politicians, and raise public awareness.

Use of Media and Digital Communications

With the rise of digital communications, online petitions, social media campaigns, and the use of other digital platforms have emerged as important tools for political engagement.
Media coverage, both traditional and online, can spotlight issues and put pressure on politicians.
The BBC and other news outlets play a crucial role in shaping public opinion about political issues. They present unbiased information, which can be a platform for debate and discussion, potentially influencing policymakers.

Engaging with Representatives

Writing letters or emails to MPs about specific political issues can directly influence the opinions and actions of those in power.
Citizens could also request meetings with their MPs to express their views and concerns directly.
MPs hold regular surgeries - these are meetings where constituents can visit their MP in person to discuss matters. They present an excellent opportunity for citizens to have face-to-face conversations about their concerns.

Each of these methods provides avenues for citizens to initiate or influence political change. It’s important to understand the different capacities and effects of each method, and to recognize that they could be used in combination for maximum effectiveness.