UK Prime Minister Burnham faces Labour split over Palantir's NHS data contract

Andy Burnham built his political base in Manchester, the only English region that refused Palantir access to its data. Now, as Britain's new prime minister, he is under pressure from his own Labour Party to break the company's £330m contract managing NHS patient data — and Whitehall sources tell WIRED a decision must come within weeks to allow time for a transition before a 2027 break clause expires.

The party is fractured. Left-leaning MPs and grassroots members want the contract ended, citing patient trust and the company's deep embedding across the British state. Labour MP Rachael Maskell, a former NHS clinician, warned in Parliament that losing patient trust worsens health outcomes. Others close to Burnham, including Big Tech liaison Varun Chandra — who maintains rapport with Trump administration figures and dined with Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale in 2024 — quietly favor keeping the relationship.

A non-official petition to remove Palantir from the NHS has drawn 177,000 signatures. The Department of Health says the contract will be reviewed ahead of the February 2027 break clause. Burnham has not spoken publicly on the matter. Parliament resumes in September.