The UK Government Faces a Reckoning Over Palantir
Andy Burnham once kept Palantir out of Greater Manchester. His first test as prime minister is whether to cut the company’s £330 million NHS contract—and risk a rupture with Big Tech and Washington.
As British Prime Minister Keir Burnham takes his first parliamentary session, Palantir, the U.S. tech company, could pose a significant challenge to his administration. Sources within Westminster indicate that Burnham is facing increasing pressure from his colleagues to end Palantir's controversial contract with the National Health Service (NHS).
This potential crisis could be the first major test of Burnham's premiership, with a decision on the contract's future expected in the coming weeks. Palantir currently holds sizable contracts worth approximately £670 million in the public sector, including a £330 million deal to manage healthcare data on the NHS Federated Data Platform.
Labour Party members, particularly those on the left, are pushing for Burnham to terminate the contract, citing concerns over trust and privacy. Meanwhile, supporters of Burnham and key advisers within his government advocate for maintaining the relationship with Palantir. Varun Chandra, a prominent figure in the government-technology space, plays a crucial role in managing Palantir's interactions with the British state.
Despite opposition from various quarters, a decision to break the contract will need to be made by the autumn to avoid any potential mishaps in transitioning to an alternative provider.
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