Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said his programme of devolution strengthens the case for a written constitution for the UK, a move that would fundamentally alter the workings of the state that have developed over centuries, Report informs via The Guardian.
The prime minister has long believed the UK's "antiquated" political system needs a dramatic overhaul if opportunity is to be shared equally across the country.
The UK is one of only a few major democracies without a written constitution, a document that codifies how a nation is governed within a set of fundamental rules.
In a potentially historic shift, Burnham said this weekend that his government"s programme of decentralisation – which includes giving regional leaders much greater control over their finances – strengthens the argument for a codified arrangement.
"It will increase the case for a constitution because Britain is changing through this, England is certainly changing through this," he said.
Burnham said the UK needed to devise a codified model of devolution that works for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the English regions.
"In the end, I think it does start to point towards a new constitutional settlement … with that commitment to equivalent living standards," he said, adding that his pledge of "good growth in every postcode" was "more than just a soundbite".