Groups that do not have the support of the government, known as outsider groups, have to work harder (which might cost more resources such as time and money) to achieve their aims.

Direct action is when members of a pressure group will act illegally by stopping a place or work, damaging property or trespassing. It can often be ineffective as it risks turning the public and government against the cause – especially if they break the law.

By being an insider group with the support of groups are much more likely to be successful.

Trade Unions, because they represent the workers of an industry have the potential to cause severe disruption which could make the government look very unpopular with the public so it might listen closely to their demands. 

For example Geenpeace Scotland have organised protests because they are opposed to the use of fracking. They want a ban but the Scottish government has not made a commitment to ban it yet.

For example the EIS teaching union has over 60,000 members and after threatening to strike the Scottish Government committed to making changes to the school system to reduce the assessments students completed and teachers had to mark.

For example Coal Action Scotland set up camp and disrupted a coal mine in South Lanarkshire as they were against the mines across Scotland. The Scottish Government has made no moves to shut down the mines.

For example, pressure groups such as ASH Scotland (anti-smoking) have been instrumental in the campaign to rid Scotland of smoking by 2034