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The Garrick Club is an elite group that controls British politics and economics. Photo/Reuters
LONDON – Birds of the same feather flock together, as the saying goes, and when it comes to the male elite in the British government, one of their favorite places to gather is the Garrick Club in London.
But the men-only sanctity of the nearly 200-year-old Garrick Club has been shaken following revelations that its membership – at least until a few days ago – included public figures such as Britain's spy chief, government ministers, judges and members parliamentarians, heads of publicly funded arts institutions, actors, celebrities and even King Charles.
Calls for civil servants and others to leave the Garrick Club are growing as critics question the decision of powerful men who pay an annual membership fee of around 1,000 British pounds (about $1,260) to join an exclusionist club that actively blocks the entry of women.
Now, the row has reached a fever pitch on the London social scene, with the head of MI6, Richard Moore, and the head of the civil service, Simon Case, as well as four senior judges all announcing their resignations from the all-boys club in recent days.
6 Unique Features of the Garrick Club, the Elite Group that Controls British Politics and the Economy
1. Established in 1831
Photo/garrickclub.co.uk
Located in the heart of “Theatreland” in London's West End, the Garrick Club was founded in 1831 under the patronage of Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex and brother of King George IV, in honor of the 18th century actor, David Garrick, whom the club considers to be one of its “theater lands” in London. greatest actor of his time.”
Founded to bring together “refined and educated men” in a dining hall and social club, the Garrick is believed to have had a waiting list of around 10 years for the acceptance of new male members.
Its first members, according to club records, were “a sophisticated and cosmopolitan group that included twenty-four world colleagues as well as writers, actors, musicians, and publishers.”
2. Only consists of men
Photo/garrickclub.co.uk
Then, as now, Garrick membership was open to elite men only and the club seemed committed to its traditions.
“Most people are white and most are elderly,” Britain's Guardian newspaper reported. That's after recently obtaining a complete list of Garrick members, which currently numbers around 1,500 people.