UK PM Andy Burnham Backs Written Constitution
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled his support for a written constitution for the UK, which would provide a clear set of principles for how the country should be run. This move is part of his plans to devolve power to regional authorities, allowing regional mayors in England to keep a share of taxes collected in their area. Burnham believes that the lack of a written constitution disempowers places and leaves people arguing for fundamental things.
The push for a written constitution is not new, with Labour’s Gordon Brown being an early proponent of the overhaul. A parliamentary committee considered options for codifying the constitution in a five-year review, which concluded in 2015 that there was no clear consensus. Any serious attempt to codify the constitution by Burnham would be a years-long process likely requiring a major public inquiry and consultations.
The UK’s current system is governed by a patchwork of statutes, common law judgments, and treaties, unlike most countries around the world. Burnham’s plans to transfer power out of the highly centralized nation’s capital have been met with interest, as England remains one of Europe’s most centralized nations. The creation of devolved parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast in the late 1990s was a significant constitutional reform, but England itself still lacks regional autonomy.
The announcement of Burnham’s support for a written constitution comes just two weeks into his tenure as Prime Minister. His administration has made devolution of power to regional authorities a key focus, with the aim of providing clear constitutional protection for regional autonomy. As the UK navigates its future, the possibility of a written constitution could have significant implications for the country’s governance and regional relationships.
This development is connected to the UK’s history of constitutional reforms, including the significant changes made in the late 1990s. The push for a written constitution is a continuation of this process, with Burnham’s administration seeking to build on the foundations laid by previous governments.
