The Revolving Door Spins Faster: Tom Watson’s Move to Palantir

The recent appointment of former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson as senior vice-president at Palantir has raised concerns about the relationship between British politics and big tech. This development is part of a disturbing trend where politicians and civil servants leave their posts to join companies with questionable ethics and significant influence in shaping public policy.

Watson’s move to Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, a well-known Trump supporter, and providing AI-powered software to the Israeli military and ICE immigration crackdowns, is particularly concerning. The company has been embroiled in controversy over its involvement in British public services, including a £330m NHS contract that’s under pressure from Burnham’s government.

Alex Karp, Palantir’s chief executive, hailed Watson’s appointment as “just the latest chapter of Tom’s forty-year fight for better public services.” This statement is rich in irony, considering the role Palantir plays in shaping these very services through its AI-powered software. Watson himself expressed his excitement about joining Palantir and highlighted two contracts that are currently in dispute – the NHS contract and a £50m deal with the Metropolitan police.

Watson’s enthusiasm for these projects is puzzling, given the controversy surrounding them. This appointment is just the latest example of the revolving door between British politics and big tech, following notable examples such as Nick Clegg’s stint at Meta and Rishi Sunak’s recent jobs with Anthropic and Microsoft. Even Keir Starmer’s AI adviser, Matt Clifford, has joined Anthropic this month.

The trend raises important questions about the integrity of our public services and the accountability of those who serve in them. Tom Brake, chief executive of Unlock Democracy, is right to point out that “the only surefire way to stop tech companies benefiting from privileged information acquired by ministers or senior civil servants is to introduce an enforceable five-year ban on taking up industry posts.”

Watson’s decision to take a leave of absence from the House of Lords and relinquish his parliamentary pass while working for Palantir in London may seem like a step in the right direction, but it’s unclear whether this will be enough to address concerns about conflicts of interest.

The implications of Watson’s move are far-reaching. As Palantir continues to expand its presence in British public services, we must remain vigilant and scrutinize the role of politicians-turned-executives. The consequences of inaction could be dire: a deepening entanglement between big tech and government, with disastrous effects on our democratic institutions.

In this age of increasing distrust in politics and institutions, it’s more crucial than ever to hold those in power accountable for their actions. Tom Watson’s appointment to Palantir is a stark reminder that we need stronger safeguards against the revolving door and greater transparency about the influence of big tech in shaping public policy.