Michael Gove, who led the Leave campaign back in 2016, admitted that a no-deal Brexit could make food more expensive.
Yes, the man who joined Boris Johnson to become a key figurehead of Vote Leave and who repeatedly controversially claimed that an additional £350m a week would be spent on the NHS if the UK left the EU, went on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show this morning to say that leaving without a deal "would impose additional costs on food production".
When asked by Marr whether food prices in the UK will go up in the event of a no-deal, Gove responded:
I think there is a risk of that, yes. The friction that would follow leaving without a deal would impose additional costs on food production. That is why it is so important that we secure a deal.
When Marr confronted him and asked:
When was that ever discussed during the referendum campaign?
Gove, who earlier this year said that Leave would win a second referendum by a bigger margin than in 2016, said:
I think you’re mixing up two things. The first thing is we’re talking about what might happen in the event of no-deal. During the referendum campaign, we were always arguing for a deal.
WOW!! Michael Gove, who ran the Leave campaign, says a No-Deal Brexit was NEVER the plan and that it would make YOU… https://t.co/JrPVfsr306— Our Future, Our Choice (@Our Future, Our Choice) 1551007367
Many people were quick to point out that there were never any plans to begin with during the referendum.
Man who set house on fire confirms plan was never to burn it down. https://t.co/D3Ng7hmlmt— David Schneider (@David Schneider) 1551012708
@OFOCBrexit @Femi_Sorry Where I have a problem with this is that Gove is suggesting that there was a plan in the first place...— Gareth Smith 💙 (@Gareth Smith 💙) 1551008310
@OFOCBrexit They never had a plan, who is he trying to kid. As the shit is about to hit the fan, the rats are scram… https://t.co/EyWQJiNFS2— Sarah Calvert🇬🇧🇮🇹 (@Sarah Calvert🇬🇧🇮🇹) 1551009375
@PeterAnsell5 @OFOCBrexit @michaelgove @peoplesvote_uk @remain_eu @myeuuk Easiest deal ever according to his pal David Davies.— Derry pigeon (@Derry pigeon) 1551008149
@OFOCBrexit I don’t think #Brexiteers knew anything about what they were doing! They just wanted a ‘get richer’ qui… https://t.co/t48G9WfC24— Peter Ansell🇪🇺🇬🇧🏴 (@Peter Ansell🇪🇺🇬🇧🏴) 1551007719
In a letter to the public explaining his decision to join Vote Leave in 2016, Gove wrote:
I believe our country would be freer, fairer and better off outside the EU. And if, at this moment of decision, I didn’t say what I believe I would not be true to my convictions or my country
Maybe it's time we really do start stockpiling!
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