Michael Gove has stood by the contentious Brexit bus slogan asserting that £350 million was being sent to the EU weekly and should be directed towards the NHS instead.
Gove, a prominent figure in the Leave campaign, defended the accuracy of the figure, stating that it was “literally the truth,” despite acknowledging the divisive nature of the Brexit debate. He conceded that the bus advertisement, which read “We send the EU £350 million a week, let’s fund our NHS instead,” continues to provoke strong reactions.
In response to fact-checking organization Full Fact’s scrutiny of the claim, Gove dismissed their analysis, maintaining his stance on the matter.
Full Fact has refuted the assertion that the UK ever paid the EU £350 million weekly or owed such a sum to the bloc. They highlighted the potential economic repercussions of Brexit on trade and the UK economy.
Recent analysis revealed that Brexit has resulted in a substantial and enduring cost to the UK economy. Estimates from the think tank UK in a Changing Europe indicated significant decreases in GDP per capita, investment, employment, and productivity due to Brexit.
Despite facing criticism, Gove reiterated his support for the £350 million claim, emphasizing that it underestimates the amount the EU extracted from UK taxpayers and then spent on their behalf.
Gove maintained that the bus claim was extensively debated and argued during the Brexit campaign, rejecting the notion that it was a deceitful tactic.
When questioned about whether the £350 million weekly allocation to the NHS materialized post-Brexit under the Conservatives, Gove asserted that more funding was channeled to the health service. He expressed frustration at the persistent skepticism surrounding the claim, comparing it to deeply held beliefs.
Regarding the criticism from Full Fact and Nigel Farage, Gove dismissed Full Fact’s stance and disagreed with Farage, defending the accuracy and foresight of the bus claim.
Gove argued that the increased NHS funding post-Brexit was a tangible outcome, benefiting the healthcare system despite any political repercussions for the Conservative Party.