Tom Watson’s appointment as a senior vice-president at Palantir is presented as evidence of growing public distrust in Britain’s political class. Clive Lewis argues that Watson’s move is particularly striking because he previously opposed mass surveillance, while Palantir is associated with surveillance, military targeting and controversial uses of technology.

The article questions whether Palantir values Watson’s political access and networks, noting the company’s links to UK officials, government contracts and lobbying interests. Lewis places the appointment alongside examples involving Tony Blair, Peter Mandelson and Nick Clegg, arguing that weak rules on post-political employment and rising donations from wealthy individuals have widened an “integrity gap” between politicians’ claims and public belief.