The Andy Burnham I’ve met over the past 20 years gives me hope for British politics | John Harris

You hear the word ‘empathy’ a lot when people talk about our next prime minister. I can see why My contribution to this summer’s modest avalanche of Andy Burnham stories extends to only two. One is about Glastonbury, and the time that he and his wife, Marie-France, came for a three-day stay at the festival, which included his appearance on the Left Field stage, organised by the songwriter and activist Billy Bragg. I help with the bookings and chair some of the debate sessions: Burnham’s was…