Andy Burnham Announces a New Plan That Could Transform the UK in a Way Not Seen for Generations

Andy Burnham has suggested that Britain may need a written constitution as part of what he believes should be a new way of running the country. The Prime Minister, who took over from Keir Starmer last month, said the country may need clearer rules and principles to make sure everyone has the same basic rights and opportunities, no matter where they live.

Unlike countries such as the United States, the UK does not have one single written constitution. Instead, its political system is based on laws passed by Parliament, court decisions, traditions, and long-standing constitutional practices that have developed over hundreds of years.

The idea is not new for Mr Burnham. In his 2024 book Head North: A Rallying Cry For A More Equal Britain, which he wrote with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, he argued that Britain should move towards a written constitution as part of wider changes to give more powers to local and regional authorities.

Mr Burnham believes that giving more power to different parts of the country strengthens the case for a written constitution because it would clearly set out how Britain should be governed in the future.

Speaking about his vision, he said Britain needs a new constitutional settlement that focuses on fairness and equal living standards across the country. He said he wants every community, regardless of where it is, to have the chance to enjoy a similar quality of life.

He pointed to a recent speech in Manchester, where he spoke about creating “good growth in every postcode.” He stressed that this was not just a political slogan but a genuine goal that should shape government policy.

According to Mr Burnham, the country should work towards a future where everyone can expect similar living standards, better public services, and equal opportunities. He believes those principles should become the foundation of a written constitution.

The Prime Minister also argued that there should be a clear set of national principles explaining how Britain should be run. He said every part of the country should be guaranteed certain basic standards, particularly when it comes to essential public services, transport, and connections between communities.

He believes it is unfair that some areas have to fight for services that people in other parts of Britain already take for granted. In his view, the absence of a written constitution leaves many communities with less influence and fewer protections.

As part of his wider plans, Mr Burnham said every area should have the right to become a strategic authority with greater control over local decisions. He also suggested local areas should be allowed to keep more of the money they raise through income tax and business rates, giving them greater financial independence.

He admitted that these proposals would represent a very different way of governing Britain compared with the current system, where many key decisions are made in Westminster.

Political experts say the idea would mark one of the biggest constitutional changes in modern British history. Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London, said introducing a written constitution would bring Britain closer to many other democratic countries.

However, Professor Bale also warned that such a move could significantly reduce the power of future Prime Ministers because the rules of government would no longer be easy for Parliament to change with a simple majority.

At the same time, he said a written constitution could provide much clearer definitions of the responsibilities of local, regional and national governments, helping to reduce confusion over who is responsible for delivering public services. Even so, he suggested that once the process of writing a constitution began, it would likely become much broader than simply setting out powers for local government.