Michael Gove has stood by the contentious Brexit bus slogan asserting that the UK was sending £350 million weekly to the EU, money that he believed should be allocated to the NHS instead. A key figure in the Leave campaign, Gove defended the accuracy of the figure, stating it was “literally the truth,” despite acknowledging the divisive nature of the Brexit debate and the ongoing controversy surrounding the bus message.
Despite scrutiny from fact-checking organization Full Fact, which has consistently questioned the validity of the claim, Gove remained steadfast in his position. Full Fact has emphasized that the UK never actually transferred £350 million per week to the EU and highlighted the economic repercussions of Brexit on the UK’s economy, including lower GDP per capita, reduced investment, employment, and productivity.
During an interview on Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Gove reiterated his support for the £350 million bus claim, emphasizing that it was an underestimation of the funds the EU extracted from UK taxpayers. He dismissed accusations of deceitful campaigning tactics, arguing that ample time was provided for the claim to be scrutinized and debated.
When questioned about the actual increase in funding to the NHS post-Brexit, Gove maintained that more money had been allocated to the health service. However, he expressed skepticism about the ability to persuade individuals on opposing sides of the debate, likening it to deeply held beliefs. Gove emphasized his commitment to presenting factual information but acknowledged the challenge of convincing those with differing perspectives.
Addressing criticisms that the £350 million figure failed to consider the benefits the UK gained from EU membership, Gove argued for greater control over how funds were allocated, suggesting that direct spending by the UK government could be more advantageous. Dismissing objections from Full Fact and Nigel Farage regarding the bus claim, Gove emphasized the accuracy and foresight of the message, pointing to the increased NHS funding post-Brexit as evidence of its positive impact.
Overall, Gove maintained his stance on the controversial bus slogan, defending its accuracy and the subsequent increase in NHS funding, while acknowledging the ongoing debates and disagreements surrounding the Brexit campaign.