Elite members of British society choose to resign from the Garrick Club, a gentlemens' establishment, due to its unwillingness to welcome female members.

In the heart of London, two centuries-old establishments, the Garrick Club and the Bullingdon Club, find themselves at a crossroads, facing pressure to adapt or risk becoming relics of a bygone era.

The Garrick Club, founded in 1831 and located in Garrick Street, has been a bastion of male exclusivity, boasting a membership roster that includes leading lawyers, heads of publicly-funded arts institutions, and even King Charles. However, its controversial policy of admitting only men as members has come under scrutiny, with numerous political figures and rights advocates calling for change.

Notable among these critics is Harriet Harman, the Labour MP who drafted the Equality Act 2010. She has expressed that politicians and senior civil servants should refrain from membership in clubs that prohibit women from becoming members. Her sentiments were echoed by Caroline Nokes, a Conservative MP and chair of the women and equalities committee, who criticized clubs that exclude half of the population, including the Garrick Club.

The controversy surrounding the Garrick Club reached a peak when UK Cabinet Secretary Simon Case resigned from the club due to scrutiny during a parliamentary committee hearing regarding his club membership. Sir Richard Moore, the chief of MI6, also resigned from the club, allegedly triggered by the club's unwavering stance against admitting women as members.

The Garrick Club's traditional practices are not unique in the world of exclusive London clubs. The Bullingdon Club, a private dining society reserved for Oxford University's male students, has a history of exclusivity, sexism, vandalism, and bullying. Alumni of the Bullingdon Club include David Cameron, George Osborne, and Boris Johnson, among other prominent political figures.

The traditions of the Bullingdon Club are particularly notorious, with reports of inviting female sex workers to their opulent dinners. This has added fuel to the fire of criticism, with Labour MP Liam Byrne casting doubt on Case's capacity to promote inclusivity within the civil service while aligning himself with such an all-male bastion.

In contrast, MI5 has a lineage of female Directors General, challenging entrenched notions of leadership and capability. MI6, however, has never had a female chief, a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Sir Moore, the current chief of MI6, has vowed to be the last chief selected from an all-male shortlist.

Case's response to the criticism, asserting that meaningful change requires "internal participation", has been met with widespread condemnation. As the debate continues, it is clear that these traditional clubs are facing a reckoning, with calls for change growing louder each day. Whether they choose to adapt or remain entrenched in the past remains to be seen.

Elite members of British society choose to resign from the Garrick Club, a gentlemens' establishment, due to its unwillingness to welcome female members.