Eighty years ago this week the United Nations sets its tradition of favouring heavy hitters from small nations

 

As the United Nations General Assembly met for the first time in London, other key features of the new organization began to emerge clearly. Paul-Henri Spaak, a leading Belgian socialist politician, was elected as chairman of the assembly by 28 votes to 23. He defeated Norwegian Trygve Lie, also a socialist politician. The debate over who should become the first UN Secretary-General was a far more delicate affair. The Soviet Union was opposed to the de facto US candidate, Lester Pearson, because he was a North American; whilst the Soviet Union was running two candidates openly, a Pole and a Yugoslav, it was clear from the outset that a compromise candidate was the likely winner and Lie's name was in the frame from the outset. Both Spaak and Lie were to go on to high profile and successful careers, perhaps a reflection of the UN's far better standing than the League of Nations. The Secretary-General was, and still is, the most important single individual in the organisation. Both the Secretaries-General of the League of Nations had been professional diplomats from major members states and thus, at best, technocrats, rather than substantial individuals in their own right.

The UN's Security Council was established in practically its present form: five permananent members (Britain, China, France, USA and USSR) and others on a rotating basis. The chair of the Council was to rotate on a monthly basis amongst its members. The Council is the main body charged with the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Each member has the right of veto  on its decision, but, crucially, the USSR had been overruled in its desire for a veto on topics being referred for discussion. The Security Council is supported by a Military Staffs Committee which still exists but has never attained the meaningful role which Britain hoped it would have.

Britain flagged its commitment to the UN powerfully by working to have the territories it governed under League of Nations mandates converted to UN "trusteeships" albeit retaining control on the ground. It was recognised that Transjordan and Palestine might fall into a special category but a joint UK/US commission on the topic had hardly begun its deliberations.