Andy Burnburn Calls for a Written UK Constitution as He Expands Devolution

Two weeks after becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnburn announced a devolution programme he says strengthens the case for a written constitution. Speaking in Sheffield on July 31, he outlined plans to let English regional mayors retain a share of locally collected taxes and shift decision-making from Westminster to local authorities, framing the reforms as the start of a “new constitutional settlement” for the United Kingdom.

The Straits Times

The United Kingdom remains one of the few major democracies without a codified constitutional document; its governance rests on statutes, common-law judgments and conventions. Calls for a written constitution date back to the Labour government of Gordon Brown (2007-2010), when Burnburn served as a minister. A parliamentary review in 2015 found no consensus on codification and warned that any serious attempt would require years of public inquiry and parliamentary scrutiny.

The Straits Times

• Burnburn, 56, became Prime Minister in early July 2024.

The Straits Times

• In the Greater Manchester mayoral election on July 31, Labour’s Bev Craig secured 47.15 % of first-round votes; turnout was just under 25 %.

The Straits Times

• Burnburn was re-elected as Greater Manchester mayor in 2024 with 63 % of the vote.

The Straits Times

Burnburn argues that the absence of a written constitution leaves “fundamental” issues open to debate and “disempowers places” outside London. He links the devolution agenda to a vision of “equivalent living standards” across the country, citing his 2024 book *Head North* as a blueprint. The proposal to allow English regional mayors to keep a share of income tax is slated for early 2028, with detailed policy papers expected in late October.

Andy Burnham pushes for written UK constitution

Institute for Government chief executive Dr Hannah White warned that adopting a codified constitution would be a “very significant constitutional shift” and would need to go “far beyond devolution” to cover all rules that structure the UK state.

The Guardian

• “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,” — Burnburn.

The Straits Times

• “I think it does start to point towards a new constitutional settlement,” — Andy Burnburn, Prime Minister.

Andy Burnham pushes for written UK constitution

• Late October 2026: Publication of proposals on how wealthier regions such as London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands might share tax revenues with less prosperous areas.

The Guardian

• Early 2028: Implementation of the tax-sharing scheme for English regional mayors, marking the first major fiscal devolution since the late-1990s establishment of devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Straits Times

These steps could reshape the United Kingdom’s uncodified constitutional framework, pending extensive consultation and parliamentary approval.

The Straits Times