Michael Gove has reiterated his support for the contentious Brexit bus slogan that claimed £350 million was being sent to the EU weekly and should instead be allocated to the NHS.
As a prominent figure in the Leave campaign, Mr. Gove defended the accuracy of the figure, stating that it was indeed true. However, he acknowledged that the Brexit discourse is highly divisive and challenging to sway public opinion. He acknowledged that the bus advertisement, which declared, “We send the EU £350 million a week, let’s fund our NHS instead,” continues to provoke strong reactions from the public.
Despite criticism from fact-checking organization Full Fact, which has consistently questioned the validity of the claim, Mr. Gove stood firm in his stance. Full Fact has refuted the assertion that the UK was sending £350 million a week to the EU and highlighted the economic repercussions of Brexit on the country’s finances.
Recent analysis revealed that Brexit has imposed significant and lasting costs on the UK economy, with decreased GDP per capita, lower investment, employment, and productivity. However, Mr. Gove, speaking on Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast, maintained his position on the bus claim, emphasizing that it was an underestimate of the funds the EU drew from UK taxpayers.
Addressing concerns about the NHS receiving the promised £350 million post-Brexit under the Conservative government, Mr. Gove stated that more funds had indeed been allocated to the healthcare system. Despite this, he acknowledged the deep-rooted divisiveness of the Brexit debate, making it challenging for people to accept the facts presented.
When questioned about whether the figure was misleading due to not considering the benefits the UK gained from EU membership, Mr. Gove argued that individuals should have control over how their money is spent. Dismissing objections from Full Fact and Nigel Farage regarding the bus slogan, Mr. Gove defended its accuracy and foresight, highlighting the increased NHS funding post-Brexit.
In conclusion, Mr. Gove reiterated his support for the £350 million bus claim, emphasizing its accuracy and the subsequent increase in NHS funding, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the slogan.