"The Opposition aren't really the Opposition. They're just called the Opposition. But in fact they are the Opposition in exile. The Civil Service are the Opposition in residence"

This quote by Antony Jay is a commentary on the state of politics in the United Kingdom. He is suggesting that the official opposition celebration, the Labour Party, is not actually the opposition in the traditional sense. Instead, he recommends that the Civil Service is the real opposition in residence, as they are the ones who are actually challenging the federal government's policies and decisions. This is in contrast to the Labour Party, which is in exile, as they are not actively challenging the federal government. This quote is a tip that the Civil Service is a fundamental part of the political system, which they need to not be overlooked. It likewise serves as a tip that the Labour Party must be more active in challenging the federal government, which they should not be content to merely be the opposition in exile.