Northern Ireland has moved on in so many positive ways.

My children know nothing of the murderous past, the war of ideologies that gave rise to unconscionable violence. Families forever marred with the unforgivable loss of a loved one. The unspeakable depravity of a bomb blast tearing through towns and cities, leaving chaos and tragedy in its wake.

But while the physical acts of violence may be now few and far between, I’m not entirely sure the mindset behind the horror has gone for good.

Where we once saw a war on our streets, we now very clearly have a war of words emanating from social media, with equal amounts of vitriolic hatred and intolerance of political and religious expression.

It is our new norm. Always bubbling away under the surface, capable of exploding at a moment’s notice. A barrage of bigoted abuse, sectarian attacks and personal vendettas. All without consequence, all without fear, and all wallowing in the mob mentality which makes them feel superior and untouchable. Welcome to politics in Northern Ireland.

My unionist identity was never born out of hatred of my Catholic neighbours, intolerance of nationalism, nor a fear or insecurity of anything Irish. It was a firm belief in the simple concept that Northern Ireland was best placed remaining in the UK, which provided a secure protection of the health and wealth of all the people in this small nation.

Which is perhaps why I felt uninhibited to begin being open to the alternative future of Northern Ireland, when my disillusionment with political unionism became too much of an obstacle to overcome.

Fed up with endless debates about flags, bonfires, inability of politicians to demand paramilitaries remove their flags without a game of ‘whataboutery’, and the increasing lean to the right at the detriment of immigrants and social order.

No longer a political representative, I have the same rights as any other free citizen to explore my political beliefs and outlook.

I have made no secret of my social liberalism and, at the very core of my politics, was a determined belief in fairness, equality and respect. These attributes should, in my book, be a gauge to be measured against, and not a stick to be beaten with.

And yet, when giving wholehearted support to the building of a national GAA stadium, which would generate income, build upon our floundering infrastructure and allow those who are passionate about their Gaelic sport to support or play in a stadium equal to that of football and rugby, I became known as a ‘traitor’, a ‘turncoat’ and ‘an enemy from within’.

It was then I understood I was going to be a problem child. It is hard to survive willingly in such a combative environment.

As a mum-of-four, it is increasingly apparent that the younger generation do not obsess about our past.

They listen to our politicians on all sides, and recoil in horror at the disrespect, religious intolerance and lack of humanity dealt out to political opponents. They want better and they deserve better.

They are increasingly interested in the protection of human rights, LGBTQ+ equality, the possibility of employment, getting on the housing ladder and living peacefully without the religious divides that have blighted this country for decades.

The constitutional question is less about identity, and more about a place to live in which they will prosper and be content.

So when it comes their turn to vote in a local or general election, or there comes a time where a border poll criterion has been satisfied, which way will they go?

What is for sure is demographics will dictate the future of Northern Ireland, and some political parties have a lot of catching up to do.

Vocalising a shift in your political journey should never be seen as dissent or traitorous and warrant personal abuse in an attempt to destroy a person’s integrity. It is a fundamental right and one which I and many others will exercise without fear.

Perhaps the bigger question for political parties should be: why do ordinary people feel such uneasiness with the status quo, and how long can political parties hold on to their voter base while continuing to be oblivious to change?

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