Speaking as President-elect immediately after the United States Electoral College’s votes had confirmed him as the next President of the United States, Joe Biden observed that “politicians don’t take power – people grant power to them.”

Those words are both timely and applicable far beyond the United States and are relevant here as a new Parliament gets down to it business. Although we also had a hotly contested election, producing a decisive result, once it was over and the result declared, that was it. Unlike in the United States there was no ongoing dispute about its legitimacy or integrity. For that reason, Mr Biden’s comments sprung primarily from the need to try and heal deepening divisions and tensions within the United States, but they also have value in a wider context.

Their relevance goes to the nature of political leadership in democratic societies. At its heart, it is, in theory at least, essentially a partnership or compact between the leaders and the led. Political authority is ceded to the leaders on the basis they will carry out certain specified tasks on behalf of the people. In return, politicians are expected to acknowledge that they govern at the behest of the people, and not seek to pursue policies outside this mandate. This implicit partnership is especially important in a small and intimate democracy like ours where there are few formal checks and balances on the exercise of political power.

Of course, it does not always work as smoothly as this. There are always going to be accusations of a particular government or group of Ministers usurping too much power unto themselves or ignoring the will of the people. But that is generally the stuff of political debate, rather than a breach of the informal compact between leaders and the people. The next election is usually a pretty a good sanction on governments going too far.

Nevertheless, there are some governments that do come to display more totalitarian tendencies than others, and some politicians, particularly during long spells in government, who come to believe more in themselves and so lose touch with public reality, or develop an unreasonable sense of entitlement, or both. The current controversy surrounding the Speaker of the House is arguably an example of the latter point.

The first two weeks of the new 53^rd Parliament have shown it is likely to be one like no other in our recent history. While that is exciting, it is not without its risks. The country’s first single party majority government in a generation will need to be ever mindful that it is not a law unto itself, despite its large majority, so must pay due heed to the consideration and role of Parliament when it comes to decision making. The Opposition and the smaller parties must have their rights protected to comment on the issues of the day and to participate fully in the debates and select committee meetings, even if their paucity of numbers means they are unlikely to be able to influence very much.

In that regard, the approach being taken by the two new Maori Party MPs is encouraging. With a clear eye to the constituents they are representing, they have already sought to establish their relevance by not so gently pricking many of Parliament’s treasured balloons. While their small numbers mean they will not win their battles, their approach is nonetheless refreshing and will ensure them a credibility and grudging respect within the system that they would have otherwise struggled to find.

By now, many of our political leaders will be returning to their home areas to be with family and friends – to be normal for a few weeks. For the new MPs, the buzz and excitement of their election and first few weeks in the seat of power will still be fresh. There are probably some of them who will feel a little frustrated that Parliament has wound up for the year so soon after it started, and just as they were beginning to get used to it. However, for others, Ministers especially, for whom 2020 has been unusually long, unpredictable and stressful, the break will not come soon enough.

For all of them, the coming holiday period provides an opportunity to relax and recharge the batteries to get ready for 2021. As they do so, all of them, no matter how senior or junior they may be, should reflect on the wisdom of the Biden dictum and make a commitment as one of their New Year’s resolutions to follow it in their work next year.

As one who has experienced and understood over many years the pressures of political and public life, I appreciate that the vast majority – although by no means all – of our politicians of whatever political persuasion are decent people trying to do their best as they see it for our country. My wish to all of them is that they are able to enjoy a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year with their families and those dear to them, so that they return to duty next year determined to use responsibly and effectively the power the people have granted them.

On that note, Dunne Speaks takes its leave for 2020. My best wishes to everyone for the coming Festive Season and for a better year in 2021.