Full Breakdown
Labour Conference Blocks Motion to Cancel Palantir NHS Contract
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Emergency Motion Rejected by the Conference Arrangements Committee
Delegates at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool sought to force the UK government to invoke the February 2027 break-clause in the £330 million NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) contract with US firm Palantir. The motion, submitted by the Socialist Health Association and at least three constituency parties, was blocked by the Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) during the conference, which judged it did not meet the criteria for debate. The CAC said it would email the constituency parties with an explanation.
Background & Context
Palantir has secured more than £670 million in contracts across British civil and defence sectors since 2020. In January 2024 the company announced a partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defence to support “war-related missions” that employ drone-fired missiles in Gaza. A July 2025 UN Special Rapporteur report cited “reasonable grounds” that Palantir provides predictive-policing technology and AI platforms for real-time battlefield decision-making. Within the NHS, the FDP aggregates data from hospitals to aid analysis and improvement programmes.
Official Statements & Responses
- The CAC’s written response, quoted by Middle East Eye, affirmed its authority to reject the motion and requested a detailed explanation of the decision.
- Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, speaking at the conference, said the government “hears” public outrage over the Palestinian plight and pledged to “match words with actions,” referencing recent sanctions on Israeli settlements and a ban on arms licences that “materially contribute to the occupation.”
- The Science and Technology Committee and the Health and Social Care Committee have both called for the February 2027 termination clause to be exercised, citing concerns over the contract’s suitability and cost-effectiveness.
- Labour peer Tom Watson, a former deputy leader, was noted as having taken a senior vice-president role at Palantir UK, a fact highlighted by motion supporters as undermining public trust.
Criticism & Opposition
Dan Iley-Williamson of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign described the contract as “deeply disappointing” and said Labour’s blockage of the motion contradicts the foreign secretary’s earlier statements supporting Palestinian protesters. Momentum and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign backed the motion, emphasizing the ethical implications of a firm linked to alleged violations of international law.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We fully accept the CAC’s authority to make the decision but we ask that a detailed explanation is provided why our argument was rejected.” — The CAC
- “Palantir's human rights record is easily enough to disqualify it from government contracts - from its use in Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, to Israel's use of its technology to target Palestinians in its genocide in Gaza.” — Rathi Guhadasan, chair of the Socialist Health Association