Recent lobbyist for Palantir had key role in helping Andy Burnham become PM
Martha Dalton, co-founder of lobbying firm Lodestone, played a senior strategic communications role in Andy Burnham's campaign to become Prime Minister. This connection emerged as Burnham's government faces pressure to cancel a £330 million contract between Palantir and NHS England. The controversy is fueled by public concerns over Palantir's involvement in military operations and immigration enforcement, despite the firm's claims of providing critical data infrastructure.
- ▪Martha Dalton took six weeks of unpaid leave from Lodestone to support Andy Burnham's Makerfield byelection campaign with strategic communications.
- ▪Lodestone worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025, assisting the company in demonstrating its AI-powered systems to Members of Parliament.
- ▪Palantir is currently fighting to retain its £330 million contract with NHS England to manage a national medical data platform.
- ▪Public protests and Labour party motions have called for the cancellation of the Palantir deal due to allegations of human rights breaches related to its work for the Israeli military.
- ▪Labour peer Tom Watson recently began full-time lobbying for Palantir after serving on Lodestone's strategic advisory council.
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/02/lobbyist-palantir-martha-dalton-andy-burnham |
| Publication time | Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:47:47 GMT |
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Martha Dalton is the co-founder of Lodestone, which worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025. Photograph: LodestoneMartha Dalton is the co-founder of Lodestone, which worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025. Photograph: LodestonePalantirRecent lobbyist for Palantir had key role in helping Andy Burnham become PMExclusive: Martha Dalton worked closely with Burnham’s team on byelection that secured his return to parliamentRobert Booth and Henry DyerFri 2 Oct 2026 04.47 EDTLast modified on Fri 2 Oct 2026 04.48 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA 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…
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