Panoramic view of the men-only Garrick Club on March 21, 2024 in London, England.
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LONDON – Members of Britain’s only all-male Garrick Club have reportedly voted to allow women to join the institution for the first time in its 193-year history.
Tuesday’s vote was According to reports, the pass rate is 59.98% The debate took place after two hours of secret debate, held near the club’s headquarters in central London and closed to non-members.
The historic vote comes after The Guardian published some of the most significant comments about the elite club, which has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. influential members.
Strictly confidential membership lists reveal that the club is a symbol of British patriarchy and that most members are white and over 50 years old.
Listed as members along with King Charles III are the deputy prime minister, the head of the secret intelligence service (MI6), dozens of members of the House of Lords and 10 members of Parliament. Prominent public figures from the arts world including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Brian Cox were also named.
The Garrick Club, named after the 18th-century actor David Garrick, was founded in 1831 and a statement on the club’s website says the club is “a club for actors and well-educated actors and actresses.” A place where men meet as equals”. Today, it has more than 1,300 members.
Women hold banners to protest for equality at the entrance to the Garrick Club on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in London, England.
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A spokesman for the club did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment via email. A staffer told CNBC by phone that there is no department responsible for handling inquiries about voting.
However, source told the Guardian that 562 members voted in favor and 375 (40.02%) voted against.
Britain’s prestigious private members’ clubs have faced growing criticism in recent years over a series of scandals that exposed sexism, vandalism and bullying within the elite group.
Former British prime ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron were left mortified after revelations about the culture. toxicity and bullying in their Bullingdon Club, Oxford. Meanwhile, the organizer of a Presidents Club charity dinner was forced to resign amid reports that the hostess at the event was sexually harassed.
It is unclear when women will be allowed to join the Garrick Club or how they will qualify if they are interested.
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