Palantir’s Tom Watson says ‘mob rule’ must not dictate awarding of government contracts
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Former Labour deputy leader says tech firm would work with a Reform UK government on immigration crackdowns Tom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader who recently joined Palantir, has warned against “mob rule” when it comes to awarding public contracts. Lord Watson, now a senior vice-president at
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A dimly lit government committee room filled with screens and charts, where a suited Tom Watson, now a Palantir executive, addresses a group of concerned policymakers with a slide presentation titled 'Why Data Surveillance is Essential for Democracy'
Caption: 'We must prevent the masses from influencing tech contracts... with their votes.'
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on theguardian.com.
Editor's note
As technology increasingly intertwines with governance, the debate over who dictates the terms of public contracts becomes more critical. Tom Watson's invocation of "mob rule" highlights the tension between democratic principles and the efficiency some claim is necessary for technocratic solutions, prompting us to reflect on the long-term implications of such a balance.
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Panel 1
(a) What the subject of this story actually is and does: Palantir is a tech company that specializes in data analytics and big data management solutions, often used by governments for security and surveillance purposes. Tom Watson, a former Labour politician, is now a senior vice-president at Palantir, advocating for the company’s interests in government contracts. (b) The ONE real irony or absurdity in the news: A former politician who advocates for democracy and public participation is now working for a tech company that is lobbying against to secure lucrative government contracts. This is an irony because his past and present roles are contradictory in terms of how they view public participation in decision-making. (c) The single funniest observation that becomes the highlight: The highlight is the absurdity of Tom Watson, who once championed democratic principles, now standing against the very idea of public input when it comes to awarding contracts to companies like his new employer, Palantir.
Narrator: mob rule
Panel 2
*Setting: A high-ceilinged conference room in the Palantir headquarters. Tom Watson, dressed in a tailored suit, is addressing a group of tech executives around a polished wooden table. The room is filled with screens displaying graphs and data visualizations.*
Tom Watson: The days of public consultations and democratic processes are over. We must assert the power of the elite.
Panel 3
*Setting: A public town hall meeting. A diverse crowd of concerned citizens are seated, some holding signs and others taking notes. Tom Watson stands on a makeshift stage, looking out of place in his suit among the casual attire of the attendees.* Citizen (holding a sign)
Citizen: What’s the impact of Palantir's new contract with the Home Office?
Tom Watson: That’s irrelevant. We’ll decide what’s best for the public—without the public.
Panel 4
*Setting: Tom Watson’s office at Palantir. A sleek, modern desk is cluttered with tech gadgets and a framed photograph of him in a Labour Party meeting. He’s sitting at his desk, looking out the window at the city skyline, a conflicted look on his face.* Tom Watson (to himself)
Tom Watson: How did I go from championing democracy to arguing against it?
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