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England's Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls for a written constitution for the United Kingdom
England's Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a historic transformation of the UK's political system, saying the country needs a written constitution. He also unveiled a comprehensive reform plan including greater devolution to local authorities.
England's Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a fundamental overhaul of the UK's political system, arguing that the country needs a written constitution.
Burnham, who took office two weeks ago and previously served as Mayor of Greater Manchester, said that one of his government's main agenda items is greater devolution of powers to local governments.
The Need for a Written Constitution
In a statement this week, Burnham said, "I think this will ultimately lead to a new constitutional settlement," calling for the adoption of new and clear principles for governing the country. The Prime Minister underlined the need for a written constitution.
Burnham said, "It is wrong that people have to defend issues that are actually fundamental rights and principles. The absence of a written constitution weakens the capacity of regions to defend these rights."
The UK's constitutional system, unlike most countries with a written constitution, is based on a mixture of laws, case law, conventions, and treaties.
Gordon Brown, who served as prime minister from 2007 to 2010, is known as one of the early backers of the written constitution idea, which is relatively new in British political life.
A parliamentary committee assessed constitutional options for the country as part of a five-year review and concluded in 2015 that there was no clear consensus on the issue.
Any constitution-making initiative led by Burnham is expected to require years of work, extensive public opinion research, and consultations.
Last Friday, Burnham announced plans to allow regional mayors in England to keep some taxes collected in their areas. This is part of the devolution plan in the highly centralised country.
The United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, carried out significant constitutional reforms in the late 1990s, establishing devolved parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. However, according to experts, England remains one of the most centralised countries in Europe, despite the creation of mayoral offices and regional bodies over the past decade.
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