Pressure GroupsAn example of using new media

Mums Net www.mumsnet.com This a web-based pressure group which

campaigns for mothers rights. The decision by the Coalition government

to change the Child Benefit from being Universal to ending it for Parent/Parents in the 40% tax ban in 2013 – those who earn over £44000.

The Campaign This change in Child Benefit is an attack

on a key area of support for the Conservatives – stay-at-home mums (school gate mums) who’s Husbands earn over £44000.

If a couple both earned £40000, then they would not have their benefit cut!

Mumsnet Founder on BBC Mumsnet have 1.2 million members

using the site every month.

Mumsnet has become one of the most powerful influences in British public life.

Politicians – including prime ministers and party leaders – normally form an orderly queue for an audience with Justine Roberts and the other co-founders.

At the Conservative Party Conference in Sept 2010, Mumsnet had their own delegation which could be evidence of them being considered an insider group.

Many Tory/Lib Dem MPs received a huge number of letters and emails objecting to the issue and Mumsnet handed in a petition to Downing Street.

Were they successful? They did force the government into a

concession with an offer of allowing married women at home to transfer their tax allowances to their working husbands to help ease the burden.

On the other hand, it still looks as though the change will go ahead.