So often nowadays, in politics, business, entertainment and sport a whiff of scandal is swiftly followed by a resignation, honourable or dishonourable depending on the way you look at it.

In all walks of life human error will always occur, and in a world so dominated by social media and political correctness offence will often be caused unintentionally. What is important is that those in positions of leadership or public office genuinely want or seek to do what is right by others.

Prominent in many high-profile cases of wrongdoing is, arguably, complacency; a lack of appreciation amongst individuals or groups for their privileged position, and a false perception of self-entitlement.

Last week’s resignation of 33-year-old US Republican Senator Aaron Schock offers a perfect example of this.

Found to have utilised thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to fund, among other things, private jet travel, admission to football games and the redecoration of his office with a Downton Abbey theme, public debate over whether Schock broke the law has come secondary to outrage and disbelief.

This detachment from those outside the so-called “political class” can manifest at all levels of politics, from Stormont to Capitol Hill, not just in the misappropriation of expenses but also in complacency surrounding the partisan nature of politics.

With the often gridlocked US Congress and Northern Ireland Assembly, voters have been subjected to mere administration as opposed to leadership; perceptions amongst politicians and parties that it ought to be their way or no way.

At the same time, news of wrongdoing does nothing to recapture the vanishing trust between the governing and the governed.

No politician will claim to be purer than pure nowadays, but a better sense of gratitude for one’s position, appreciation of the need for integrity and genuine hunger to change things for the better could provide a good starting point to rejuvenating trust in politics.