Andy Burnham Calls for Written UK Constitution to Drive Growth

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has called for the adoption of a written UK constitution to establish a coherent constitutional settlement for England's regions. He argues that the current system of devolution in England is inferior to the statutory frameworks existing in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, leaving regional governments reliant on piecemeal deals and the discretion of ministers in Whitehall.

Burnham pointed to Germany's Basic Law as a model for providing the stability and clarity necessary between federal and state governments to foster meaningful economic growth. He contends that as long as power remains concentrated in the center, English regions will struggle to deliver significant economic improvements.

Critics of the proposal highlight the limitations of existing devolved models, citing the Tees Valley Combined Authority as an example where a decade of devolution failed to produce economic benefits and resulted in a best value notice in April 2025. Some commentators further suggest that any new written constitution should remain brief and principle-based to ensure the government retains flexibility during national crises.