UK PM Burnham Backs Written Constitution, Citing Devolution
Andy Burnham, who was recently appointed as Britain's Prime Minister, is advocating for the creation of a written constitution. This proposal signals a departure from the traditional reliance on existing laws and treaties in the UK. Under his leadership, there are plans to decentralize authority, empowering local governments. Burnham emphasized that establishing a formal set of governance principles is vital for strengthening community and individual ownership. His support for constitutional reform dates back to his tenure as the mayor of Greater Manchester and echoes discussions from Gordon Brown's premiership between 2007 and 2010. The UK remains one of the few nations without a singular constitutional document.
Key facts
- Andy Burnham is the new UK Prime Minister.
- Burnham has signaled support for a written constitution for the UK.
- He has been in office for two weeks.
- Devolution of power to regional authorities is a focus of his administration.
- Burnham previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester.
- He called for a 'new clear set of principles about how this country should be run'.
- Gordon Brown, PM from 2007 to 2010, was an early proponent of a written constitution.
- The UK lacks a written constitution, relying instead on statutes, common law, and treaties.
Entities
Institutions
- UK government
- Labour Party
Locations
- United Kingdom
- Greater Manchester