Emma de Souza: NI election wasn't easy for a ‘girl getting above herself’, but good things never are

In the entire history of Stormont, there has only every been three Independents elected to the Assembly. As this was always going to be a historic election, I didn’t want to forgo an opportunity to be a part of it, writes Emma de Souza

Emma de Souza ran as an Independent in the Northern Ireland elections in the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone where only two Independent candidates had ever even run, neither of whom were women. Picture: Twitter @EmmandJDeSouza

I knew that running for election as an independent candidate in the Northern Ireland elections last week would be challenging and physically demanding. 

But I don’t think I understood how it would feel to hear people talk candidly on their own doorsteps about the difficulties they face in their lives and how they see the future of Northern Ireland. Long after my sore feet have healed and I’ve paid off my campaign debts, it is these conversations that I will remember.