--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were working class, and you don't lose…" description: "\"We were working class, and you don't lose that. Later on, I bolted on media middle class... and now people like me are in the House of Lords.\" — Melvyn..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/melvyn-bragg-9049_house_we-were-working-class-and-you-don-t-lose_488874.jpg" --- # We were working class, and you don't lose that. Later on… ![“We were working class, and you don't lose that. Later on, I bolted on media middle class... and now people like me are in the House of Lords.” quote by Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/melvyn-bragg-9049_house_we-were-working-class-and-you-don-t-lose_488874.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/melvyn-bragg-9049_house_we-were-working-class-and-you-don-t-lose_488874.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/melvyn-bragg-9049_house_we-were-working-class-and-you-don-t-lose_488874.jpg) > “We were working class, and you don't lose that. Later on, I bolted on media middle class... and now people like me are in the House of Lords.” [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A working‑class background shapes identity, even after achieving higher social status. **In simple terms:** Roots stay with you despite new status. Key Takeaway Remember your origins while navigating new roles. Themes class identity social mobility Mood reflective hopeful Type sociological motivational When to use this quote - politics - career advancement - public speaking - community engagement Key Concepts sociology personal narrative Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay grounded after upward mobility? - What responsibilities come with new status? A Different Perspective Success can create distance from original community, leading to alienation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Working class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-class/) ## Related quotes > [The House of Lords is like a glass of champagne that has stood for five days](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clement-attlee/the-house-of-lords-is-like-a-glass-of-champagne-that-has-stood-for/) [Clement Attlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clement-attlee/) > [“More recently, during a debate in the House of Lords in 1978 one of the members said: "If there is a more hideous language…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/more-recently-during-a-debate-in-the-house-of-lords-in-1978-one-of/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [The house of Lords must be the only institution in the world which is kept efficient by the persistent absenteeism of most of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-samuel-1st-viscount-samuel/the-house-of-lords-must-be-the-only-institution-in-the-world-which-is/) [Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-samuel-1st-viscount-samuel/) > [The House of Lords must go - not be reformed, not be replaced, not be reborn in some nominated life-after-death patronage paradise, just closed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-kinnock/the-house-of-lords-must-go-not-be-reformed-not-be-replaced-not-be/) [Neil Kinnock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-kinnock/) > [I do strongly believe myself that members of the government who sit in the House of Lords should be accountable to the elected House…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bercow/i-do-strongly-believe-myself-that-members-of-the-government-who-sit/) [John Bercow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bercow/) > [Give them a corrupt House of Lords, give them a venal House of Commons, give they a tyrannical Prince, give them a truckling court,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/give-them-a-corrupt-house-of-lords-give-them-a-venal-house-of-commons/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [The cure for admiring the House of Lords is to go and look at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/the-cure-for-admiring-the-house-of-lords-is-to-go-and-look-at-it/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) > [Every man has a House of Lords in his own head. Fears, prejudices, misconceptions - those are the peers and they are hereditary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lloyd-george/every-man-has-a-house-of-lords-in-his-own-head-fears-prejudices/) [David Lloyd George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lloyd-george/) > [Reform the House of Lords by all means, but not through a second elected chamber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-hoyle/reform-the-house-of-lords-by-all-means-but-not-through-a-second/) [Lindsay Hoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-hoyle/) > [Anyone from abroad will tell you that it is the class system that really lies at the root of our problems, economic and industrial.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-benn/anyone-from-abroad-will-tell-you-that-it-is-the-class-system-that/) [Tony Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-benn/) > [The House of Lords has many fine aspects, but at its heart, it is a betrayal of the core democratic principle that those in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kennedy/the-house-of-lords-has-many-fine-aspects-but-at-its-heart-it-is-a/) [Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/) > [The House of Lords is a model of how to care for the elderly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-field/the-house-of-lords-is-a-model-of-how-to-care-for-the-elderly/) Frank Field > [Look, I'm a member of the House of Lords and I'm the first to admit that I don't understand how one gets new laws…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-sugar/look-i-m-a-member-of-the-house-of-lords-and-i-m-the-first-to-admit/) [Alan Sugar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-sugar/) > [I've always said that I favour an elected second chamber and I think it's important that there are members of the House of Lords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-knight/i-ve-always-said-that-i-favour-an-elected-second-chamber-and-i-think/) [Jim Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-knight/) > [The House of Lords says I'm not a member of it. My passport says I am - get used to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-monckton/the-house-of-lords-says-i-m-not-a-member-of-it-my-passport-says-i-am/) [Christopher Monckton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-monckton/) ## More by Melvyn Bragg > [The success of the arts has come through a mix of public subsidy, substantial private support, and good box-office receipts, but central to Labour's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/the-success-of-the-arts-has-come-through-a-mix-of-public-subsidy/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [“We shall fight on the beaches,” said Churchill in 1940, “we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/we-shall-fight-on-the-beaches-said-churchill-in-1940-we-shall-fight/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [Too old at 72? Careful. Ageism is out. We'll have the law on you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/too-old-at-72-careful-ageism-is-out-we-ll-have-the-law-on-you/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [The class barricades have been stormed by the forces of a broad culture, which is made up of clusters of individuals who have decided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/the-class-barricades-have-been-stormed-by-the-forces-of-a-broad/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [“It is impossible to get enough books, don't you find? But where are we without them? Just words on the wind... Not words on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/it-is-impossible-to-get-enough-books-don-t-you-find-but-where-are-we/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [I don't believe in a personal God, no. And I don't believe in resurrection as it is in the New Testament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/i-don-t-believe-in-a-personal-god-no-and-i-don-t-believe-in/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [As the 20th century unspooled, a cultural warming melted down many frozen class characteristics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/as-the-20th-century-unspooled-a-cultural-warming-melted-down-many/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [I'm a Labour party supporter, but I'm also a democrat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/i-m-a-labour-party-supporter-but-i-m-also-a-democrat/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [When anybody tells you something about writing, somebody will tell you something completely different and they will also be right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/when-anybody-tells-you-something-about-writing-somebody-will-tell-you/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [A lot of the novels I admire are 'admirably provincial.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/a-lot-of-the-novels-i-admire-are-admirably-provincial/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [My memory seems to be holding on quite well. There is no reason why it shouldn't if you keep training it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/my-memory-seems-to-be-holding-on-quite-well-there-is-no-reason-why-it/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [I'll never forget my interview with Barry Humphries - one of the oddest I've ever done. He insisted that for half the time he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/i-ll-never-forget-my-interview-with-barry-humphries-one-of-the-oddest/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [In the 40 or so years I've known David Puttnam, not only has he pursued an outstanding career in films and now politics, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/in-the-40-or-so-years-i-ve-known-david-puttnam-not-only-has-he/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [Dame Barbara Cartland was an endearing eccentric, and when I interviewed her, she wanted me to listen to her dictating to her secretary one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/dame-barbara-cartland-was-an-endearing-eccentric-and-when-i/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) > [I actually admire some of the books by a lot of the writers who write magic realism very much, but it's not for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvyn-bragg/i-actually-admire-some-of-the-books-by-a-lot-of-the-writers-who-write/) [Melvyn Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) [Explore all 75 Melvyn Bragg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvyn-bragg/) ## More House quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Our concept of a family holiday was going to a guest house in the Lake district or Wales where walking was part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-bannister/our-concept-of-a-family-holiday-was-going-to-a-guest-house-in-the/) [Roger Bannister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-bannister/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [Houses are like the human beings that inhabit them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/houses-are-like-the-human-beings-that-inhabit-them/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [Then all this earth shines like one house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/then-all-this-earth-shines-like-one-house/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [She'd read once that if you ran into a bear in the woods you should avoid eye contact and you shouldn't run away, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-ursu/she-d-read-once-that-if-you-ran-into-a-bear-in-the-woods-you-should/) [Anne Ursu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-ursu/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [Perhaps the most important reason to be skeptical of government inflation numbers is that the government, like a fox campaigning to guard a hen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/perhaps-the-most-important-reason-to-be-skeptical-of-government/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [I didn't expect to be so comfortable handing my child off to a nanny without getting any of her information. As soon as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/i-didn-t-expect-to-be-so-comfortable-handing-my-child-off-to-a-nanny/) [Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/) > [I think of novels as houses. 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