Andy Burnham has told supporters that his government's drive to transfer power and fiscal control to regional leaders increases the argument for a written constitution for the United Kingdom.
Devolution and constitutional change
Speaking at a weekend event, the prime minister framed the programme of decentralisation as more than administrative reform. He said the changes he is pursuing — including greater financial autonomy for regional leaders — make a stronger case for a codified set of rules to define how the state is governed.
"It will increase the case for a constitution because Britain is changing through this, England is certainly changing through this,"
Burnham said any new arrangement would need to produce a model of devolution that is appropriate for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the English regions. He argued that the government's commitment to lifting living standards across the country and his promise of "good growth in every postcode" were substantive policy aims rather than mere slogans.
What the prime minister described as a 'rewiring'
The prime minister described the measures announced on the previous Friday as the most significant move yet away from a centralised system of government. He said the reforms marked a new level of seriousness in shifting decision-making out of Whitehall to mayors and local authorities through what he called No 10 North.
Political scholars warn that adopting a written constitution would represent a very significant departure from the UK's political traditions. Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, observed that most nations adopt codified constitutions in the aftermath of major ruptures — typically revolution or war — which alter or delegitimise a prior regime.
Practical and political challenges
It remains unclear how the government would pursue such fundamental constitutional change at the same time as advancing its domestic agenda on areas such as social care and public oversight of utilities. The prime minister acknowledged that the evolving pattern of devolution points towards a new constitutional settlement, but gave no timetable or detailed route for delivering a written constitution.
- Core claim: Devolution strengthens the argument for a codified constitution.
- Government aim: Greater fiscal and decision-making powers for regional authorities.
- Expert caution: Written constitutions are historically linked to major ruptures, making UK change unprecedented.
| Aspect | Implication |
|---|---|
| Regional fiscal control | Could necessitate clearer, entrenched rules on powers and responsibilities |
Whatever the next steps, the linkage the prime minister has drawn between devolution and constitutional change elevates the debate over the United Kingdom’s future governance. The proposal reframes decentralisation not merely as administrative adjustment but as part of a potential, wider rethinking of the UK's constitutional architecture.
