Labour MP Graeme Downie has argued that NATO’s consensus-based decision-making needs reform, warning that the pace of modern crises is outstripping the Alliance’s ability to respond.
Writing in PoliticsHome, Downie said: “Crises in Europe now develop faster than political structures respond. Decisions that could once take days are now needed in hours.” While describing NATO as “the most successful military alliance in history”, he argued its strength is also a vulnerability, writing: “Its greatest asset, 31 democracies acting together, is also its strategic Achilles heel.”
He warned that unanimity creates operational risk: “Unanimity binds allies politically, yet slows them operationally. Vladimir Putin believes he can exploit that gap.” Downie proposed what he called a “neighbourhood” model, where allies closest to a theatre are empowered to respond rapidly, stating NATO should embrace “regional leadership, a ‘neighbourhood’ model where the allies best placed to act in specific theatres are empowered to do so quickly.”
He argued the UK is well placed to lead this shift, writing: “This approach is already emerging organically. Nato now needs to formalise it, and the UK should be leading.” Highlighting the High North, he said: “The Greenland, Iceland, UK gap is once again central to Nato’s ability to track and deter Russian submarines.” He cited British anti-submarine capabilities including Astute-class submarines and RAF Poseidon aircraft, noting: “British P-8s have flown joint missions with US and Norwegian aircraft to shadow Russian submarines.”
He also raised concerns over NATO’s ability to respond quickly in the Baltic, asking: “How long could Nato take to respond to Russia seeking to occupy an uninhabited island in the Baltic…?” and warning: “The fait accompli would be that Russian troops now occupied Nato territory.” Downie suggested a smaller grouping response could prevent delay, writing: “What if there were a ‘neighbourhood’ response through a grouping such as JEF or just a small group of Nato members?”
He concluded that NATO must adapt to ensure deterrence remains credible, arguing: “If Nato wants to deter effectively in the decade ahead, it needs to embrace regional leadership, accelerate its decision-making, and turn speed into its advantage rather than its vulnerability.”
Is he just saying that countries should act independently and take action for incidents near their border? So pretty sure that’s been a thing since for centuries. UK should take the lead with asset we have very little of. Am I reading this correctly?
A labour politician generally knows the square root of . Nothing about defence and should simply shut up
It’s not a completely mad suggestion… NATO forces do need to be able to react quickly and awaiting for NAC consensus may be be the difference between deterrence and none deterrence..