How did the Whig defeat in the election of 1710 affect Joseph Addison's employment?

The Whig defeat in the election of 1710 resulted in the loss of political favor for Joseph Addison’s powerful patrons, which left him without government employment for the first time since 1705. Although he successfully retained his seat in the House of Commons, his departure from his official duties provided him with the time to focus more extensively on his literary pursuits.1

During this period of unemployment, Addison collaborated with Richard Steele to launch the influential periodical The Spectator, which began publication in March 1711. This transition allowed him to dedicate himself to writing essays that sought to elevate public taste and morality, establishing his legacy as a leading man of letters.1