Campaigners have welcomed comments from new Prime Minister Andy Burnham about the need for a written constitution.

Anti-monarchy group Republic has long argued for the UK constitution to be written down, with an elected head of state replacing the monarch.

Today the group's CEO has reiterated his argument that even keeping the monarchy within a written constitution creates a gateway for a republic.

Graham Smith, Republic's CEO and author of Abolish the Monarchy, said today:

"Any serious debate about a written constitution must be open and honest, and needs to let the public take that discussion to its natural conclusion."

"There can be no 'no-go' areas of Britain's public life, so if we're going to debate how we're governed the monarchy must be on the table."

"That creates a huge opportunity for a movement that is rapidly gaining ground, at a time of crisis and uncertainty for the royals."

"Even if, as is likely, a first written constitution leaves the monarchy untouched, that nevertheless lays the groundwork for future abolition."

"Simplifying, codifying and writing down the key building blocks of the nation's political system makes it easier to identify areas for reform, and mechanisms for making that change."

"And with every big change the very idea of change becomes more possible in the public imagination. So I'm very excited to hear that Burnham is looking at a written constitution."

"I have argued before that serious constitutional change can have a significant impact on the quality of our democracy and so on the quality of life in the UK."