Martha Dalton, a co-founder of the communications firm Lodestone, played a significant role in Andy Burnham’s recent campaign to become Prime Minister. Reports indicate that Dalton worked closely with Burnham’s team on strategic communications and rebuttal efforts during the Makerfield byelection, which facilitated his return to Parliament.

Public records show that Lodestone, Dalton’s firm, held a contract with the US-based data analytics company Palantir throughout 2024 and 2025. During this period, the firm assisted Palantir with projects, including the promotion of the company’s software at various events held within Parliament. Dalton was reportedly present among supporters when Burnham arrived at Downing Street following his electoral victory in July.

The involvement of a lobbyist for Palantir—a company that has faced significant public and political controversy regarding its government contracts—in the Prime Minister's campaign has drawn attention to the proximity between private tech interests and high-level political leadership. While the campaign activities and the lobbying work are documented, there is currently no evidence of a direct policy quid pro quo. The situation underscores a broader debate about the transparency of political advisors who maintain active ties to major corporate contractors. Critics argue that such dual roles create potential conflicts of interest, while supporters of the campaign structure maintain that professional communications expertise is often drawn from the private sector.