Palantir Lobbyist Helped Andy Burnham Become UK Prime Minister 2026

A recent lobbyist for the controversial $450bn US tech company Palantir played a senior role in helping Andy Burnham become prime minister, it has emerged. Martha Dalton, whose company Lodestone worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025, campaigned for Burnham in the Makerfield byelection that secured his return to parliament. She worked closely with his team on strategic communications and rebuttals, and was among supporters who clapped him into Downing Street in July.

The Palantir Connection: Martha Dalton's Role

Dalton co-founded Lodestone, a strategic communications firm that worked for Palantir on projects including promoting its software at events in parliament. There, Palantir engineers demonstrated AI-powered systems for use in British public services to MPs. Dalton previously worked on the autumn 2025 deputy leadership campaign for the current education secretary, Lucy Powell, a few months after Lodestone stopped working for Palantir.

Her role emerged as Palantir fights to retain its £330m contract with NHS England to run the federated data platform, a national medical data system. Burnham's government is under pressure to scrap the deal. Campaigners are angry about Palantir's work for the Israeli military in Gaza and Donald Trump's ICE immigration crackdown. They have also raised concerns, acknowledged by NHS England's chief executive, Jim Mackey, that the benefits to public health may not be as significant as has been claimed.

Political Fallout and Implications

The revelation has sparked questions about the influence of private tech interests on UK politics. With Burnham now in Downing Street, the ties between his administration and Palantir are under scrutiny. The company's £330m NHS contract is a focal point, with critics arguing that Palantir's involvement in sensitive health data poses ethical and security risks.

Zack Polanski, a prominent figure in the opposition, is expected to raise the issue in parliament, calling for transparency. The controversy also highlights the revolving door between politics and lobbying, as Dalton's dual roles underscore potential conflicts of interest.

Key Takeaways

• Martha Dalton, a lobbyist for Palantir, played a senior role in Andy Burnham's byelection campaign and his rise to prime minister.
• Palantir is fighting to keep its £330m NHS contract for the federated data platform amid ethical concerns.
• Campaigners oppose Palantir's work with the Israeli military and ICE, adding to the pressure on Burnham's government.
• The controversy raises questions about lobbying transparency and tech influence in UK politics.

Comparing Palantir's Contracts and Controversies

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