Michael Gove has stood by the contentious Brexit bus slogan asserting that £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 insisted that the £350 million figure was factually accurate but acknowledged the divisive nature of the Brexit debate, making persuasion difficult. He acknowledged that the bus’s message, which read “We send the EU £350 million a week, let’s fund our NHS instead,” continues to provoke strong emotions.
Despite criticism from fact-checking organization Full Fact, which has questioned the validity of the claim, Mr. Gove dismissed their analysis. Full Fact has clarified that the UK never paid the EU £350 million per week and did not owe such a sum to the bloc. They also highlighted the significant economic impact of Brexit on the UK, with lower GDP per capita, reduced investment, employment, and productivity.
Speaking on Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Mr. Gove reiterated his support for the £350 million bus claim, stating that it actually underestimates the amount of money the EU deducted from UK taxpayers. He defended the claim against accusations of misleading the public, emphasizing that it was extensively debated and scrutinized.
When questioned about whether the £350 million actually went to the NHS post-Brexit, Mr. Gove maintained that more funding was allocated to the health service. However, he acknowledged the challenge of convincing people amidst the polarizing Brexit discourse.
Regarding criticism from Full Fact and Nigel Farage, Mr. Gove expressed disagreement with both parties. He defended the accuracy of the bus claim, emphasizing that the UK ultimately allocated more than £350 million per week to the NHS, benefiting the healthcare system significantly.