Burnham claims his devolution plans “increase the case for a written constitution” — but critics point out he’s an unelected PM benefiting from the flexibility of the uncodified system he wants to replace.
Will Burnham Rewrite the Constitution?
Source: TLDR News on YouTube | Published: Aug 10, 2026 | 8 min
Key Points
- Burnham’s devolution plans (“Rewiring the State”): Mayors get income tax share from 2028 replacing central grants; greater retention of business rates; every area in England to have a strategic authority by 2028.
- The constitution comment: Burnham told The Guardian his devolution push “strengthened the case for a written constitution” because “Britain is changing through this.”
- UK’s unique setup: One of only 6 countries without a codified constitution. Instead it’s spread across statutes, common law, conventions, authoritative works (Dicey, Bagehot), and international treaties like the ECHR.
- The sceptical case: Historian Lee David Evans notes the 1990s devolution (Scottish/Welsh/NI parliaments) was far more significant and didn’t push toward codification. Burnham — an unelected PM with no mandate — is only able to push devolution through because of the uncodified constitution’s flexibility.
- Could it happen? Yes, but typically only after wars/revolutions. It would be a mammoth undertaking dominating politics for years (Brexit-scale). For a PM intent on rapid change, this would actually slow him down. Likely aspirational rather than a real plan.
- TLDR’s take: More political positioning than actionable policy. The autumn issue of their magazine covers Europe’s plan to “fix itself” plus UK/US/China analysis.
Why it matters:(AI) Classic Burnham — using a modest policy announcement to float a grand constitutional ambition that would take a decade to realise. The irony that he’s governing through the very flexibility he wants to codify away is not lost on Westminster watchers. This is unlikely to go anywhere soon, but it signals Burnham’s appetite for structural reform beyond what his mandate justifies.
structural reform is needed this is actually a good way of testing the waters and something to keep an eye on I believe the current system is over complicated for the public to understand. i am looking to put together a multidisciplinary education program for young and old alike on politics economics social technological legal regulatory and environmental concepts