I’ve worked closely with both Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer. A single quality separates them | Nazir Afzal

Personable warmth is something that mistrustful voters sorely need, and Burnham has it. But he’ll also need a little of what Starmer has to succeed in No 10Keir Starmer has stepped down and Andy Burnham is, in all likelihood, about to walk through the door of No 10. I have had the rare privilege of working closely with both men. For five years I served as a chief prosecutor while Keir Starmer was director of public prosecutions (DPP). And for much of Burnham’s time as mayor of Greater Manchester, I worked with him on violent crime, working-class representation and community cohesion.I have watched both lead, up close and under real pressure. And as the country changes hands, I keep returning to the single quality that separates them – because it happens to be the quality Britain needs most right now.Nazir Afzal is a former chief crown prosecutor for north-west England Continue reading...