Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that his ongoing programme of devolution provides a compelling argument for the introduction of a written constitution in the United Kingdom. This proposed shift would represent a fundamental alteration to the state's operations, which have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Burnham, who has long advocated for an overhaul of the country's political system, describes the current model as antiquated and insufficient for ensuring equal opportunity across the nation.
The UK remains one of the few major democracies without a codified constitution that establishes the fundamental rules of governance. Burnham noted that his government’s decentralisation strategy—which empowers regional leaders with greater financial control—necessitates a new constitutional settlement. He stated that Britain and England are changing through this process, and the government must devise a model that functions effectively for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and English regions. His pledge for "good growth in every postcode" is intended to be more than a soundbite, aiming for a system that ensures equivalent living standards, similar to the postwar basic law, or Grundgesetz, in Germany.
Describing the measures announced on Friday as the most radical departure from Britain’s overcentralised establishment, Burnham emphasized that the "rewiring" of the UK has reached a new level of seriousness. The strategy focuses on shifting decision-making from Whitehall to mayors and local authorities via No 10 North. In his 2024 book Head North, co-authored with Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram, Burnham argued that Britain's failure to formalize its rules has entrenched deep inequality and allowed power to be hoarded by a small number of interests in Westminster and Whitehall.
Experts have expressed caution regarding the complexity of such a move. Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, noted that a written constitution would be a massive departure for the UK, as most nations adopt them following revolutions or wars that delegitimise former regimes. Bale observed that while a constitution could better define the competencies of different government levels, it would also serve as a significant constraint on the executive by moving the "rules of the game" beyond the reach of a simple parliamentary majority.
Dr. Hannah White, chief executive of the Institute for Government, added that adopting a codified constitution would be a major undertaking that must extend well beyond devolution to encompass all rules structuring the state. It remains unclear how the government will balance this ambitious constitutional objective with its existing agenda on social care, utility control, and regional devolution.
