Here are some useful web links for you to explore some of the organisations and products mentioned in the exercises, case studies and elsewhere in this chapter.

Chapter 2: The Political Environment

UK Government gateway
This is an important access point to UK government websites. Links are provided to many local and national government sites:
http://www.open.gov.uk/

UK Parliament
Provides information about the Houses of Commons and Houses of Lords including details of Committees, Acts, Bills, Elections, Members of Parliament and Publications:
http://www.parliament.uk/

UK Regional Government websites
Scotland: http://www.scotland.gov.uk
Wales: http://www.wales.gov.uk
Northern Ireland: http://www.northernireland.gov.uk
London: http://www.london.gov.uk

UK political parties
Websites of the main UK political parties can be found at the following addresses:
Labour: http://www.www.labour.org.uk
Conservative: http://www.www.conservative-party.org.uk
Liberal Democrat: http://www.libdems.org.uk

European Union
A useful entry point for information about the European Union. Provides information on the Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of justice, the Court of Auditors and other bodies of the European Union:
http://europa.eu/

Fact Sheets on the European Union
A comprehensive guide to how the European Community works, The Single Market, Common policies, Economic and monetary union and EU external relations
http://www.europarl.eu.int/factsheets/default_en.htm

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
The mission of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the financing the economic transition in central and Eastern Europe.
http://www.ebrd.com/

International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) comprises 185 member countries pledged to co-operate to promote exchange stability and maintain a productive world economic environment. The website contains general information about the organisation, working papers, and press releases. Information is available by country or region.
http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm/

Pressure groups’ websites
The following are examples of pressure groups within the political system:

‘Which’ Consumers Association
A not for profit organisation that has represented consumers on a number of issues.
http://www.which.co.uk/

Greenpeace Home page of Greenpeace Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment
http://greenpeace.org

Friends of the Earth Home page of Friends of the Earth UK Friends of the Earth campaigns for solutions to environmental problems
http://www.foe.co.uk