Richard grew up in Londonderry in the 70s and 80s and went to Trinity College, Dublin to study Law. He reflects on his experiences there and some of the misperceptions he faced as a unionist from Northern Ireland at that time. He subsequently made a career as a lawyer in the City of London as well as working in Dublin and Belfast, before a health crisis brought a change of focus. He is now completing a PhD at Queen's University Belfast. He reflects on his experiences over the decades, the British and Irish contexts that shape Northern Ireland, and the kind of inclusive and liberal pro-Union politics he favours.