Tom Watson

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Palantir’s critics would have you believe we have a monopoly on government technology spend, with one MP saying there are “tentacles here that stretch into so many corners of the British state” and comparing our business practices to “what drug dealers do.” Last time I checked, there were 23 government departments. We have contracts with two of them. We also work with some police forces, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and precisely one of nearly 400 local authorities in UK. I’d love for us to do more, but let’s keep things in perspective.

Mr Polanski, I know you have a reputation for being scrupulous about checking your facts, but you’ve missed an important detail. My contract requires me to remain on leave from the Lords, surrender my parliamentary pass and forgo all access and voting rights for the duration of my employment at Palantir. I do not, therefore, take any whip. I fear this makes me rather less useful to the whips’ office than you imply.

Nobody wants to buy a service they can’t walk away from. Palantir’s critics have long claimed we ‘lock in’ our customers. We don’t. This short film explains why. It’s the first in a series on the gap between the rhetoric about Palantir and the work we actually do.

Last week the National Data Guardian wrote to health minister James Frith. The concern is that her advice rested on evidence materially weaker than the confidence of her recommendations suggested.

Statement from @MayorofLondon below. This case sought an answer to a simple question: are the rules that protect taxpayers in public procurement still applied fairly to everyone? The mayor and his team have recognised their actions could have created the impression that the decision to block the UOA contract was based on Palantir’s values. I’m very pleased that they have today corrected any such impression, and that even in the face of extreme provocation from highly organised pressure groups, decisions about deploying technology can still be made on their merits and in the public interest. I am grateful to the Mayor for acknowledging the contribution our skilled software engineers make to London in terms of jobs and investment and the wider economy. Our focus remains on demonstrating how our technology can improve public services and the lives of millions of people across the UK. london.gov.uk/statement-mopa…

What a wonderful thing.

Later today protesters will demand ‘No Palantir in our NHS’    While they protest, someone, somewhere will get an operation scheduled earlier, a cancer diagnosis quicker, a loved one home from hospital sooner - thanks to the software that those protesters would switch off.   Here is what you won’t hear. Trusts using the software have recorded: • 117,000 additional operations • 14.3 per cent reduction in discharge delays for long stay patients • 5.6 per cent improvement in the number of people receiving a cancer diagnosis within 28 days     As a more articulate person once said: ‘certain facts, although in a sense known to be true, are inadmissible.’

We help nurses and doctors improve public services. We help our armed forces and police keep us safe. And we are proud of what we do. theguardian.com/technology/2… Cc @labourlewis

After six wonderful years at UK Music, I'm joining Palantir UK as Senior Vice President. Palantir is the most interesting company on the planet, doing work of real consequence: helping Britain and its allies defend themselves, helping police protect our citizens and helping NHS staff get patients treated and home sooner. London is comfortably its largest centre outside the US, home to more than one in six employees, the highest proportion among the world's largest technology companies. We have challenges. Some criticism is propaganda. Some raises legitimate questions about large technology companies and sovereign control. Both require answers. Part of my role will be to correct false information while working with our engineers to ensure privacy, security and respect for sovereignty are at the heart of everything we do.

This is a lovely tribute to my predecessor by my successor. I have nothing but fond memories of Peter and he is already missed by his many friends and loved ones.

Thank you to the lovely people at @UK_Music who gave me a lovely leaving party last week. After just over six years as their Chair @CatrionaLaing1 is going to be a great successor. I’m missing them already.

You think you know your friends well, and then you listen to a very entertaining episode of Profile and realise they’re even more interesting than you thought. bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030x…

And immensely proud of Claire.

So proud of this guy. ❤️

Love.