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. Lodestone, which Dalton co-founded, worked for Palantir on projects including promoting its software at events in parliament where its 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. Lodestone’s work for Palantir involved promoting its software at events in parliament, where its engineers demonstrated AI-powered systems for use in British public services to MPs. This revelation has sparked ethical questions about the intersection of lobbying, political campaigns, and public health contracts.
The Palantir-Lodestone Connection: A Timeline
Lodestone, co-founded by Martha Dalton, provided lobbying services for Palantir in 2024 and 2025. During this period, Dalton also played a key role in Andy Burnham’s successful byelection campaign in Makerfield, which paved the way for his return to parliament and eventual rise to prime minister. The overlap between her lobbying work for Palantir and her involvement in Burnham’s campaign has raised eyebrows among transparency advocates.
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Key Events and Their Implications
| Date | Event | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Lodestone lobbies for Palantir | Promotes Palantir’s AI systems to MPs |
| Early 2025 | Makerfield byelection | Dalton campaigns for Burnham |
| July 2025 | Burnham becomes PM | Dalton among supporters at Downing Street |
| Autumn 2025 | Dalton works on Lucy Powell’s deputy leadership campaign | Continues political involvement after Palantir work ends |
| Ongoing | Palantir fights to retain NHS contract | Burnham government under pressure to scrap deal |
Why the NHS Contract Matters
Palantir’s £330m contract with NHS England to run the federated data platform is at the center of the controversy. The platform is designed to integrate patient data across the NHS to improve care, but critics question both the ethics and efficacy of handing such sensitive data to a foreign tech giant with a controversial track record.
- Ethical concerns: Palantir’s work for the Israeli military in Gaza and ICE has sparked outrage among campaigners.
- Effectiveness doubts: NHS England’s CEO Jim Mackey acknowledged that public health benefits may be less significant than claimed.
- Political pressure: Burnham’s government faces calls to cancel the contract, testing its stance on data privacy and corporate influence.
The Broader Implications for UK Politics
This story highlights the revolving door between lobbying firms and political campaigns. Dalton’s dual role—advocating for Palantir while helping to elect a prime minister—raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of corporate interests on public policy. As Palantir seeks to maintain its NHS foothold, the scrutiny will only intensify.
FAQ
Who is Martha Dalton?
Martha Dalton is the co-founder of Lodestone, a lobbying firm that worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025. She also played a senior role in Andy Burnham’s campaign to become prime minister.
What is Palantir’s NHS contract?
Palantir holds a £330m contract with NHS England to run the federated data platform, a national medical data system. The contract is under review amid ethical and efficacy concerns.
Why are campaigners angry about Palantir?
Campaigners oppose Palantir’s work for the Israeli military in Gaza and Donald Trump’s ICE immigration crackdown. They also question the public health benefits of its NHS data platform.
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