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Devolution plans strengthen case for written UK constitution, says Burnham

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham argues that his devolution program strengthens the case for a written UK constitution.
  • He believes a codified constitution is needed to manage the changing landscape of the UK, particularly England, through decentralization.
  • Experts note that introducing a written constitution would be a significant departure for the UK, historically occurring after major upheaval.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has asserted that his government's devolution agenda bolsters the argument for a written UK constitution. He contends that the ongoing decentralization, which grants regional leaders more financial control, fundamentally alters the state and necessitates a codified governing framework.

It will increase the case for a constitution because Britain is changing through this, England is certainly changing through this.

— Andy BurnhamBurnham explaining how his devolution program strengthens the argument for a written UK constitution.

Burnham stated that the UK needs to establish a devolution model that accommodates Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the English regions. He suggested this shift points towards a new constitutional settlement, emphasizing his "good growth in every postcode" pledge as more than mere rhetoric. He described the recent devolution measures as the most significant departure from the UK's centralized political system, indicating a "new level of seriousness" in "rewiring" the nation by moving decision-making away from Whitehall.

In the end, I think it does start to point towards a new constitutional settlement … with that commitment to equivalent living standards.

— Andy BurnhamBurnham discussing the potential constitutional implications of his devolution agenda.

However, Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary University of London cautioned that adopting a written constitution would be a "huge departure" for the UK. He noted that such changes historically followed revolutions or wars that delegitimized previous regimes. Bale also pointed out potential constraints on the executive, as a written constitution could limit Parliament's power to enact changes with a simple majority. While it might clarify governmental competencies, he suggested it could extend beyond that scope.

Our failure fully to set out the rules for how the country should be run is one of the prin

— Andy BurnhamBurnham's statement from his book 'Head North' on entrenched inequality due to a lack of clear constitutional rules.

The article notes the uncertainty surrounding how the UK government would implement such profound constitutional change alongside its existing agendas on devolution, social care, and utility control. It highlights that while a written constitution would align the UK with countries like the US, it could also significantly restrict the executive branch.

Introducing a written constitution would be a “huge departure” for the UK.

— Tim BaleProfessor Tim Bale commenting on the significance of a written constitution for the UK.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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