UK PM Burnham backs written constitution, calls for new settlement

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed support for a written constitution for the United Kingdom, a move that would mark a significant shift from the country's long-standing tradition of relying on an unwritten set of laws and conventions.

Unlike most countries, the U.K. does not have a single authoritative constitutional document. Instead, its governance is shaped by a patchwork of statutes, common law judgments, and treaties. Mr. Burnham, who took office two weeks ago, has made devolution of power to regional authorities a key priority of his administration.

Speaking about his devolution plans, Mr. Burnham said on the weekend, "In the end, I think it does start to point towards a new constitutional settlement." He called for a "new clear set of principles about how this country should be run" and argued that a written constitution is necessary. "It's wrong that people are left arguing for things that are just fundamental... and the lack of a constitution disempowers places in that situation," he added.

The push for a written constitution is not new. Gordon Brown, who served as Labour Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 and in whose government Mr. Burnham was a minister, was an early proponent of such an overhaul. A parliamentary committee conducted a five-year review of options for codifying the constitution, concluding in 2015 that there was no clear consensus.

Any serious attempt to codify the U.K. constitution would likely be a years-long process, requiring a major public inquiry and extensive consultations. Mr. Burnham's recent announcement on Friday (July 31, 2026) that regional mayors in England will be allowed to keep a share of taxes collected in their areas is part of his broader drive to transfer power away from the highly centralised capital.

The U.K., which comprises England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, underwent significant constitutional reforms in the late 1990s with the creation of devolved parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. However, experts note that England itself remains one of Europe's most centralised nations, despite the establishment of some regional mayors and other bodies over the last decade.

Mr. Burnham's remarks signal a potential shift in the country's constitutional landscape, though the path to a written constitution remains uncertain and complex. For now, his focus on devolution may be seen as a first step toward a broader constitutional debate.