Michael Gove has stood by the contentious Brexit bus claim that £350 million was going to the EU weekly and should instead be redirected to the NHS.
As a prominent figure in the Leave campaign, Mr. Gove defended the accuracy of the £350 million figure, describing it as “literally the truth.” However, he acknowledged the divisive nature of the Brexit debate, conceding that the bus slogan, which read “We send the EU £350 million a week, let’s fund our NHS instead,” continues to provoke strong reactions.
In response to criticisms from fact-checking organization Full Fact, which has disputed the validity of the claim, Mr. Gove dismissed their analysis. Full Fact has emphasized that the UK never actually paid £350 million per week to the EU and did not owe such a sum post-Brexit, highlighting the complexities of the economic impact of leaving the EU on trade and the overall economy.
Recent analysis has revealed that Brexit has imposed significant economic costs on the UK, with estimates suggesting a notable decrease in GDP per capita, reduced investment levels, lower employment rates, and diminished productivity.
Addressing concerns about whether the promised £350 million for the NHS materialized post-Brexit, Mr. Gove asserted that increased funding had been allocated to the health service. Despite ongoing skepticism, he reiterated his belief in the accuracy of the claim, emphasizing the challenge of persuading individuals on opposing sides of the Brexit debate.
When challenged about the perceived lack of transparency in the bus claim regarding the financial benefits the UK received from being part of the EU, Mr. Gove argued that individuals should have the autonomy to decide how money is spent rather than relinquishing control to external entities.
Regarding disagreements from Full Fact and Nigel Farage regarding the bus claim, Mr. Gove expressed his disagreement with both parties. He maintained that the claim was not only accurate but also a foresightful prediction, noting that the NHS eventually received a significantly higher budget than the promised amount.
In conclusion, Mr. Gove reiterated his stance on the £350 million bus claim, emphasizing its significance in the Brexit discourse and defending its accuracy amidst continued scrutiny.