Big Tech, Big Data, and the UK’s Not-So-New Labour
THE ACTORS: Who is involved in this story? Firstly, we have Sir Keir Starmer , current leader of the Labour Party and presumptive next Prime Minister. Then there's Lord Peter Mandelson , a figure who never truly left the corridors of power, famous for his 'dark arts' in the Blair era and his revolving door roles between politics and business. He's reportedly an advisor to Starmer, lending his
particular brand of realpolitik. And, of course, Palantir Technologies , the data mining behemoth co-founded by Peter Thiel, known for its deep ties to intelligence agencies and its uncanny ability to secure lucrative government contracts globally. THE FUNDING: Where does their money come from? Palantir's revenue streams are notoriously opaque but are heavily skewed towards government contracts.
In the UK, they've been granted significant sums by the NHS during the pandemic, reportedly over £400 million by 2023 for its Foundry platform (OpenDemocracy, 2023). Globally, the US government, especially the Pentagon and intelligence apparatus, has been a cornerstone client since the company's inception, providing hundreds of millions if not billions in contracts over the years (Palantir Annual
Reports). THE INCENTIVES: What do they gain from this narrative? For Starmer, a photo-op at Palantir, especially with Mandelson in tow, sends a clear message to the City and Washington: Labour is 'responsible,' 'pro-business,' and 'tech-savvy.' It's about reassuring the financial markets and powerful overseas allies that a Labour government won't rock the boat, despite any progressive rhetoric.