Andy Burnham has caused some confusion by saying he wants the UK to have both a written constitution and a German-type “Basic Law”.

Germany’s Basic Law effectively is its written constitution, so the new prime minister appears to be calling for the same thing twice.

Mr Burnham cleared up this confusion in a book he co-wrote two years ago, entitled Head North: A Rallying Cry for a More Equal Britain. In it, he explained he is interested in a particular part of Germany’s Basic Law: the guarantee of equivalent living standards across all regions. He suggested this could work in the same way as in Germany, through a fund that richer regions pay into to subsidise others.

If anything like this comes to pass, Sinn Féin, the DUP and all the other Stormont parties calling for a new funding model from London would certainly get their wish, although they might find it a mixed blessing.

Brian Feeney: Never mind Burnham, at last the Irish government can finally see the value of unity

A much stronger and more decisive response is now required - The Irish News view

The concept of equivalent living standards already exists in the UK’s devolutionary system via the needs-based funding formula introduced in Wales over a decade ago and recently adopted here.

The formula uses demographic and geographic factors........

© The Irish News