--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being in opposition takes some getting…" description: "\"Being in opposition takes some getting used to. As a former minister, you don't just lose your job and the enormous resources of the civil service, you..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/david-lammy-4617_civil-service_being-in-opposition-takes-some-getting-u_361294.png" --- # Being in opposition takes some getting used to. As a… ![“Being in opposition takes some getting used to. As a former minister, you don't just lose your job and the enormous resources of the civil service, you also have to watch programmes that you were involved in being gradually dismantled.” quote by David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/david-lammy-4617_civil-service_being-in-opposition-takes-some-getting-u_361294.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/david-lammy-4617_civil-service_being-in-opposition-takes-some-getting-u_361294.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/david-lammy-4617_civil-service_being-in-opposition-takes-some-getting-u_361294.png) > “Being in opposition takes some getting used to. As a former minister, you don't just lose your job and the enormous resources of the civil service, you also have to watch programmes that you were involved in being gradually dismantled.” [David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lammy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He notes the challenges of losing authority and seeing one's initiatives dismantled after leaving office. **In simple terms:** Loss of power and watching past work undone. Key Takeaway Accept change and find new ways to influence. Themes power transition politics Mood reflective serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - post‑political career - public service - policy advocacy Key Concepts institutional inertia personal identity Questions to Reflect On - How can former officials maintain impact? - What strategies help cope with loss of resources? A Different Perspective May overlook personal resilience needed after career shifts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-service/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Minister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minister/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) ## Related quotes > [How does it feel to be a woman minister? 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