Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that his government's devolution agenda strengthens the argument for a written UK constitution, a move that would fundamentally reshape the nation's centuries-old governance structure. Speaking this weekend, Burnham emphasized that the UK's "antiquated" political system requires a dramatic overhaul to ensure equal opportunity across all regions.
What Happened: A Historic Push for Codified Rules
The UK remains one of the few major democracies without a written constitution, relying instead on unwritten conventions and statutes. Burnham's comments come amid the rollout of further devolution measures announced on Friday, which he described as the most radical departure from Britain's overcentralized political establishment. These plans include giving regional mayors greater control over finances and shifting decision-making from Whitehall to local authorities through initiatives like No 10 North.
"It will increase the case for a constitution because Britain is changing through this, England is certainly changing through this," Burnham said. He argued that the UK needs to devise a codified model of devolution that works for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the English regions, pointing toward a new constitutional settlement with a commitment to equivalent living standards.
Details: The Devolution Plans and Their Implications
Under the devolution plans announced last week, by early 2028 regional mayors across England will be able to retain a share of income tax generated in their areas. Proposals due in late October are expected to see economic powerhouses like London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands redistribute some of their share to less prosperous regions, such as Hull and East Yorkshire.
Burnham's vision draws inspiration from Germany's postwar basic law, or Grundgesetz, which mandates equivalent living standards across all states, with wealthier regions redistributing funds nationally. This model, he believes, could address the deep inequality entrenched in Britain, which he attributes to its evolution from a "feudal state" with power concentrated in Westminster.
In his 2024 book Head North, co-authored with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, Burnham wrote: "Our failure fully to set out the rules for how the country should be run is one of the principal reasons why Britain is one of the most unequal major countries in the world. Our unwritten and murky constitutional arrangements have had the effect of hoarding power in a small number of hands."
Impact: Expert Reactions and Challenges Ahead
Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, called the introduction of a written constitution a "huge departure" for the UK, noting that historically, most countries adopted such documents "in the wake of a revolution or a war that has removed or delegitimised the former regime." He warned that a codified constitution could "represent a major constraint on the executive," as it would place fundamental rules beyond the power of parliament to change with a simple majority.
Dr. Hannah White, chief executive of the Institute for Government, said: "Adopting a written constitution – of the kind almost every other country already has – would represent a very significant constitutional shift for the UK and be a major exercise. A fully codified constitution would need to go far beyond devolution to encompass all the rules which structure the UK state."
The government faces the challenge of pursuing such significant constitutional change alongside its agenda on devolution, social care, and public control of utilities. While a written constitution would bring the UK in line with other democracies like the US, Bale cautioned that it could not be limited to defining competencies alone, potentially reshaping the entire political landscape.
