One of my favourite election stories was from Alex Kane, the former UUP strategist, who a few years ago regaled a canvassing tale from many years ago.

Alex was knocking on doors in a street that had been canvassed by Alliance a few hours earlier.

An Alliance leaflet was protruding from one letterbox, and Alex slipped it out and pocketed it.

Not that I would ever personally engage in such illicit behaviour, but in a time before Ring Camera doorbells, I understand this was quite common.

Alex continued to canvass and at one house accidentally tripped over a garden statue.

When the owner of the house came out to discover his prized ornament smashed, he demanded to know the identity of the culprit – to which Alex handed him the yellow leaflet he had lifted earlier on in the day.

“I’m calling on behalf of the Alliance Party,” he said!

I love elections. I love the door knocking, the conversations, the opportunity to try and convince people to use or change their vote. The people you meet and the stories you hear.

It’s all-consuming, it’s humbling and it’s a reminder why we do it.

One couple told me they were expecting a baby. It popped out while we discussed childcare; they hadn’t even told their families yet.

Another told me he was recently widowed and we spent half an hour talking about his wife.

Someone asked me to open a jar they were struggling with while I was there.

It’s a privilege to gain a snapshot into people’s lives. To hear their thoughts. Though at times it can be challenging.

Early on in the campaign I had been out canvassing when one man opened the door and I knew what was coming.

I began tentatively: “I’m calling on behalf of Alliance ... would you consider voting Alliance this election?” I asked.

He glared at me: “Maybe. Convince me.”

I took one step back and started to list how we were a cross-community party, working on issues which matter to people.

“Oh yeah, what are your plans for health?”

I listed them. He interrupted me: “What about education?”

I said I was on the education committee and began to discuss our priorities around pay and grading, SEN, the curriculum –

“Okay, well, tell me this. How would you vote in a Border poll?”

This question doesn’t come up as much as you’d think, but I gave him my response.

I told the man that my party is a cross-community party. We believe in a society for everyone, underpinned by our shared values of equality, respect for diversity and interdependence.

We have a range of views internally on what the future should look like, but what we care about is how we make our services work for people now.

We don’t take a position on the constitutional question because we respect people have different identities, and while the Union or Irish Unity was the priority for some parties – a position we respect – it wasn’t for Alliance. Our priority is a united community.

“You see!” he responded triumphantly. “Can’t answer the question! I’ll be ringing the BBC tomorrow to tell them Alliance canvassers can’t answer the questions they’re asked!”

I wished him well with his major scoop that Alliance don’t take a position on the constitutional question, and went about my business.

Throughout the campaign I kept thinking about him, though. How angered he was that we didn’t have a position.

How so many really struggle to comprehend what a cross-community party actually is.

We’re met with suspicion – we must be ‘the other’, deep down.

Yet the reality is we are all, and none, and more. We reflect the diversity of our society.

I was having a conversation with Enniskillen councillor Eddie Roofe about the campaign and how polarised it had been in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

Whilst so much of the conversation had been centred around what would be good for Unionism or good for Nationalism – what people asked him was about health, the cost of living crisis, jobs at BT/EE.

What he wanted to discuss was what was good for the people of Northern Ireland.

“It shouldn’t be controversial to condemn two of the worst bombings in our history. Equally, should we be focusing on Legacy in this election, when people can’t afford to pay their bills?”

He came third in the election, which shows more people share his way of thinking.

Alliance is growing as more people recognise a divided society means less for everyone.

This election wasn’t just an opportunity to remove a negative, destructive Conservative Government, but the opportunity to hold to account those local politicians who propped up, supported and backed some of their most divisive and regressive policies.

People in Lagan Valley took that opportunity in electing Sorcha Eastwood: the first woman and the first non-Unionist elected to that seat is something of note. It also signifies a change.

Politicians will tell you the response was great on the doors. And some days – when people weren’t threatening to go to the BBC over your answers – it was!

But there was also a worrying level of apathy. Too many asked what the point in voting was, saying that nothing would change.

Today, the election has been and gone, and as we return to normality, what matters most now is trust in politics.

That comes from remembering those conversations we had on the doors. Delivering on promises.

And committing to do what we can to restore trust by promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in public life. That’s how we move forward.

Kate Nicholl is an Alliance Party MLA for South Belfast and is the party’s spokesperson on Early Years & Childcare.