Lobbying in the United Kingdom

This chapter offers an exploration of the dynamics and developmental trajectory of interest groups and lobbying within the political framework of the United Kingdom (UK), pinpointing essential debates and transformative periods in government-interest group relations from the post-war era to the contemporary post-Brexit landscape. It delves into the political and institutional landscape of lobbying in the UK, highlighting the targeted institutions and regulatory frameworks within which lobbying operates. Further, this chapter navigates the mechanisms of lobbying, with a focus on strategies used to influence political institutions, from Parliament to independent regulatory bodies. The chapter also engages with debates about the role of interest groups in democratic politics, outlining arguments that present lobbying as a mechanism facilitating democratic health and others that critique it for potential destabilization and undue influence on democratic processes, especially emphasizing the impact and authority of corporate lobby groups. Lastly, the chapter sheds light on the interest group and lobbying landscape in the UK since Brexit.