Multilateralism at a Crossroads: Rethinking UK Status and Influence at the UN Security Council

Thomas Peak and Samuel Jarvis

Global Policy, 2025, vol. 16, issue 5, 898-906

Abstract: During a period of increased global tensions over the future direction of multilateralism, the UN Security Council faces significant questions over its continued legitimacy. Consequently, demands for formal reform initiatives have grown, challenging the unequal distribution of power within the Council and the continued influence of colonial legacies. Yet despite these claims, it is still commonly assumed that the UK must work to retain all the key privileges that come from holding a permanent seat to help maintain its status and prestige. In contrast, we outline how the UK's current position actually fuels resentment and undermines the post‐Brexit ‘Global Britain’ agenda. In response, this article offers a non‐ideal solution where the UK retains its permanent seat but aligns its use with national interests through bringing forward informal delegation practices and coalition building, as well as developing innovative working methods to generate greater cooperation between permanent and elected members. In doing so we argue that through a more delegated approach the UK could demonstrate its commitment to fairness and multilateralism in a way that wins allies and positions it as a leading advocate for reform even in a time of increased great power competition.

Date: 2025
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