Former minister Ben Wallace has stepped into the controversy surrounding the Garrick Club’s exclusionary membership policy, defending senior male politicians and civil servants who are members of the club and suggesting they should be left alone.
In response to the resignations of Cabinet Secretary Simon Case and MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore from the club amid accusations of sexism, Wallace expressed his belief that the issue was overblown.
He argued that if a group of men wishes to form a club, they should be allowed to do so without interference. Wallace pointed out that there are also all-female clubs, suggesting that the existence of single-gender clubs should not be a cause for concern.
During an interview with LBC, Wallace stated that he was not a member of any club at the moment and emphasized his opinion that people should be left alone to associate as they wish.
He indicated that the membership composition of the Garrick Club, or any other club, was not of concern to him and that individuals should not be judged based on their club memberships.
Wallace’s remarks echoed sentiments expressed by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case during a parliamentary committee hearing, where Case suggested that it was easier to bring about change within an organization by joining it and advocating for reform from within. Case emphasized the importance of participation in effecting change rather than criticizing from the outside.
Despite Case’s remarks, both he and Sir Richard Moore ultimately resigned from the Garrick Club amid the controversy. Their resignations came after the publication of the club’s membership list, which included prominent figures such as the King and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.
The debate surrounding the Garrick Club’s membership policy underscores broader discussions about inclusivity and gender equality in British society.
While some argue for reform from within institutions, others maintain that exclusionary practices should be challenged and dismantled from the outside.
