Bernham calls for a written constitution for the United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has endorsed the adoption of a written constitution for the United Kingdom, which, unlike most countries, lacks a codified constitution. Since assuming office just two weeks ago, the former mayor of Greater Manchester has made decentralization a priority for his government. Speaking about his plans to devolve powers to regional and local authorities, Starmer said, “Ultimately, I believe this paves the way for a new constitutional convention.”

The prime minister called for “a new set of clear principles on how this country is run,” emphasizing the need for a written constitution, a reform he had advocated for before arriving at Downing Street. He added, “It is abnormal for people to have to defend fundamental rights… and for the absence of a constitution to deprive regions of the means to take action.”

The United Kingdom is governed by a heterogeneous mix of statutes, common law court decisions, and treaties. The idea of a written constitution is relatively new in the UK. Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2007–2010), under whom Starmer served as a cabinet minister, was among the first to advocate for such reform. A parliamentary committee examined various options for drafting a constitution as part of a five-year review, concluding in 2015 that there was no clear consensus on the matter.

Any attempt to draft a constitution under Starmer’s leadership will likely require several years of work, along with extensive investigations and broad public consultations. On Friday, the prime minister announced plans to allow regional mayors in England to retain some of the taxes collected in their areas, as part of his plan to devolve powers in the highly centralized state.

The United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, underwent significant constitutional reforms in the late 1990s, leading to the creation of devolved parliaments in Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast. However, England remains one of the most centralized countries in Europe, despite the establishment of numerous regional councils and other bodies over the past decade, according to experts.