Fringe Benefits 2
After I posted my previous entry about David Hilditch and DLA it was brought to my attention that the DUP MLA took part in the Assembly football team trip to London last weekend and played during the match against the Welsh assembly. This afternoon I made a few enquiries about this - one other player said he found it hard to understand, but another pointed out that Mr Hilditch had come on with a heavily strapped knee and had only played a "very minimal part" in the game.
Tonight the Carrickfergus Mayor told me that he spent almost all the trip spectating from the sideline "but the lads let me on with a few minutes to go just so I can raise money for charity". He said he would love to really be able to play in the match, as he used to enjoy football and road running, but his current condition does not allow it.
I'm 
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He seems to play a "very minimal part" for the DUP; but the 91Èȱ¬ ought not to have followed this up, particulary given since it was politically motivated by a certain UUP politico, who is crass to the point of nausea.
This crass and nauseating UUP politico thinks that all of the points raised by the two declarations are perfectly legitimate ones to have asked of those who represent us. And I state again for the less perceptive amongst us, what I wrote was NOT politically motivated.
Michael, you originally thought that DLA was means tested and blabbered on about an earnings limit.
Then you were corrected twice:
1) DLA is not means tested
2) Child Benefit is not Child Support.
So from the outset of lightly researching the Assembly website you quickly tapped up an argument supposingly premised on a conservative-style debate about means testing/earnings limit; but, really, you were out to crudely smear the DUP whilst not having much of a clue about benefits in doing so.
But, I have to say, you did it in the end, courtesy of Nolan. Northern Ireland is secto-conservative and will easily sum up the situation as you have put it to them, given the many grievances people have with benefits, especially those who have applied to get them and need them but can't.
Michael,
Well said. It's a great story. Well done for uncovering it.