Over the past few weeks on Red Lines, we've spoken to two former MLAs who lost their seats in May's Assembly election, Mervynne's story, and Dolores Kelly.

Today, we complete our trio of conversations with Peter Weir, another high-profile casualty last month.

And a man who was until a year ago this week, Northern Ireland's education minister.

And Peter Weir, that is a remarkable turnaround in fortunes to have to deal with in almost exactly a year.

How big a challenge has it been for you?

Well, it's been a very significant challenge.

I think that in circumstances where anybody loses their seat, I think it's very difficult for the person not to almost feel particularly

they take that quite personally.

And certainly I think for the first couple of days,

both in terms of the count and the couple of days afterwards,

like it hurt greatly.

And I think that's not just, I suppose, the impact on yourself,

but you're automatically thinking of, well, are the constituents that you've been helping up until now that you're no longer really able to, you're restricted to you.

But particularly think of, think of staff. I think it's true of any MLA or any MP that loses their seat.

And I have very good, hardworking staff.

And there's something that, you know, they go down in the ship with you as well.

And in many ways, irrespective whether it's your fault or somebody else's fault or just circumstances,

you know, they have no control over that.

And they take the consequences of you being successful or unsuccessful with you.

So, you know, that can be quite raw,

but I suppose with time with support,

that tends to ease after a while.

...