A written constitution gains an advocate in Britain's new PM, Andy Burnham

A renewed constitutional debate

According to Рубрика — Політика: The United Kingdom does not have a single written constitution, and the topic has returned to the center of political attention with a new prime minister. Andy Burnham, who took office on 20 July 2026 after Keir Starmer's resignation, has endorsed the idea and made the devolution of power a central priority of his administration.

He has argued that the current arguments over fundamental questions are wrong, and that the absence of a written constitution leaves regions powerless. In his view, the eventual answer points toward a new constitutional settlement.

Britain's existing constitutional architecture rests on acts of Parliament, common law, and conventions rather than one document. Burnham's backing gives fresh momentum to a long-running debate.

Roots of the proposal

Gordon Brown, who led the country from 2007 to 2010, was one of the first major figures to advocate a written constitution. Burnham served in Brown's government, a fact that suggests continuity in constitutional thinking across these two administrations. Yet in 2015, after five years of study, a parliamentary committee concluded that there was no clear political consensus for such a change.

King Charles III accepted Starmer's resignation before Burnham arrived at Buckingham Palace and received the mandate to form an administration. Burnham has outlined a possible path toward a written constitution in stages:

• public debate
• consultations
• agreement among political and regional actors

If adopted, a written constitution would transform Britain's political landscape, producing clearer lines of authority between London and the regions and strengthening the overall framework of governance. Earlier efforts stalled for lack of support, but a new round of consultations could create the conditions for a breakthrough.

As the political landscape shifts with Andy Burnham's rise to power, understanding the context of his appointment is crucial. His official assumption of the Prime Minister's role on July 20 marks a significant juncture in Britain's governance. For more details on Burnham's transition to leadership and its implications, see his official ascension to the premiership.