Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Here's the poem "No Enemies" By Charles Mackay the English Chartist poet, 1814–1889 virtually Read By the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
After Margaret Thatcher fired half of her cabinet because of their “lack of grit as a consequence of their privilege and entitlement”.
In response, the Queen reportedly told Thatcher that she’s playing a “dangerous game” making so many enemies, to which the prime minister replies that she is “comfortable” with having enemies.
Thatcher then recites “No Enemies” by Scottish poet Charles Mackay, who lived from 1814 to 1889.
Mackay was a part of the Chartist movement, which campaigned for the working class people of England to gain political rights, suffrage and influence. It was at its most popular from 1838 to 1948.
In real life, Thatcher was extremely fond of the poem, with a 2019 BBC documentary revealing that she kept it on her desk.
No Enemies
By Charles Mackay
(English Chartist poet, 1814–1889)
YOU have no enemies, you say?
Alas! my friend, the boast is poor;
He who has mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure,
Must have made foes! If you have none, 5
Small is the work that you have done.
You’ve hit no traitor on the hip,
You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip,
You’ve never turned the wrong to right,
You’ve been a coward in the fight
Here's the poem "No Enemies" By Charles Mackay the English Chartist poet, 1814–1889 virtually Read By the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
After Margaret Thatcher fired half of her cabinet because of their “lack of grit as a consequence of their privilege and entitlement”.
In response, the Queen reportedly told Thatcher that she’s playing a “dangerous game” making so many enemies, to which the prime minister replies that she is “comfortable” with having enemies.
Thatcher then recites “No Enemies” by Scottish poet Charles Mackay, who lived from 1814 to 1889.
Mackay was a part of the Chartist movement, which campaigned for the working class people of England to gain political rights, suffrage and influence. It was at its most popular from 1838 to 1948.
In real life, Thatcher was extremely fond of the poem, with a 2019 BBC documentary revealing that she kept it on her desk.
No Enemies
By Charles Mackay
(English Chartist poet, 1814–1889)
YOU have no enemies, you say?
Alas! my friend, the boast is poor;
He who has mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure,
Must have made foes! If you have none, 5
Small is the work that you have done.
You’ve hit no traitor on the hip,
You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip,
You’ve never turned the wrong to right,
You’ve been a coward in the fight
