Lead

Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled his support for a written constitution for the UK, a move that would mark a fundamental shift from the country’s long-standing reliance on an unwritten constitutional framework. Since taking office just two weeks ago, Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has made devolution of power to regional authorities a focus of his administration.

“In the end, I think it does start to point towards a new constitutional settlement,” Burnham said of his devolution plans, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu. He called for a “new clear set of principles about how this country should be run” and said there was a need for a written constitution—something he has advocated before becoming prime minister.

“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,” Burnham said.

Unlike most countries, Britain does not have a written constitution in a single authoritative document. Instead, it is governed by a patchwork of statutes, common law judgments, and treaties.

Coverage Comparison

Both the South China Morning Post and The Hindu report Burnham’s support for a written constitution and emphasize his focus on devolution. The South China Morning Post frames the issue around the lack of a written constitution disempowering places, while The Hindu provides additional historical and policy context.

The Hindu notes that Labour’s Gordon Brown, who was prime minister from 2007 to 2010, was an early proponent of a written constitution. It also mentions that Burnham served as a minister in Brown’s government, a detail not included in the South China Morning Post’s report.

Additionally, The Hindu reports that a parliamentary committee considered options for codifying the constitution in a five-year review that concluded in 2015, finding no clear consensus. It further states that any serious attempt to codify the constitution by Burnham would be a years-long process, likely requiring a major public inquiry and consultations.

Key Claims

  • Burnham supports a written constitution for the UK, which currently lacks one, as reported by both the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
  • Devolution of power to regional authorities is a focus of Burnham’s administration, according to both outlets.
  • Gordon Brown was an early proponent of a written constitution, as reported by both outlets.
  • Burnham served as a minister in Gordon Brown’s government, a claim carried by The Hindu.
  • A parliamentary committee considered options for codifying the constitution in a five-year review, as reported by The Hindu.
  • Burnham announced plans to allow regional mayors in England to keep a share of taxes collected in their area, as reported by The Hindu.
  • The UK saw significant constitutional reforms in the late 1990s that created devolved parliaments, as reported by The Hindu.