Explain how political parties differ from pressure groups. - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1

Political parties are more accountable to the public because they must win elections and satisfy voter expectations. In contrast, pressure groups generally do not have the same level of accountability since they do not stand for election.

Political parties typically address a broader range of issues and develop comprehensive platforms, while pressure groups tend to focus on narrower, specific agendas. This means that political parties can adapt to various public concerns, while pressure groups may remain strictly aligned to their specific cause.

While political parties mainly participate in elections and propose legislation, pressure groups often use direct action (some of which may be illegal) to influence change. Political parties rarely engage in such methods, focusing instead on public appeal through democratic processes.