Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 11:53 am  

First off, No-one likes John Inverdale, is that a given ? But does the Culture Secretary Maria Miller have a right to force her own opinion on the BBC after they, and he, and the player concerned, have already dealt with his faux-pas ? http://news.sky.com/story/1117263/culture-secretary-blasts-bbc-for-sexist-sport ...and she is also boycotting her attendance at this years British Open Golf because of Muirfield's ban on women members. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23346840 Is she, and Alex Salmond (never a one to miss a political opportunity) correct in their outrage or have they not noticed that it is not illegal for private members clubs to exist and for them to impose single sex rules ? Perhaps they have noted at some point during their presence in the House of Commons that that particular building and the whole of the Palace of Westminster (and other Royal Palaces) is one of only a few places in the UK where observance of the smoking ban is not necessary under the 2006 Health Act and that any of the members therein could technically light up anywhere within that building whilst a member in a private members only club cannot ? They probably haven't noticed either that according to the R&A there are very few single sex golf clubs left in the UK and of those that do exist, 50% are women only ? Is the Culture Secretary just desperate for publicity this week ?

First off, No-one likes John Inverdale, is that a given ? But does the Culture Secretary Maria Miller have a right to force her own opinion on the BBC after they, and he, and the player concerned, have already dealt with his faux-pas ? http://news.sky.com/story/1117263/culture-secretary-blasts-bbc-for-sexist-sport ...and she is also boycotting her attendance at this years British Open Golf because of Muirfield's ban on women members. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23346840 Is she, and Alex Salmond (never a one to miss a political opportunity) correct in their outrage or have they not noticed that it is not illegal for private members clubs to exist and for them to impose single sex rules ? Perhaps they have noted at some point during their presence in the House of Commons that that particular building and the whole of the Palace of Westminster (and other Royal Palaces) is one of only a few places in the UK where observance of the smoking ban is not necessary under the 2006 Health Act and that any of the members therein could technically light up anywhere within that building whilst a member in a private members only club cannot ? They probably haven't noticed either that according to the R&A there are very few single sex golf clubs left in the UK and of those that do exist, 50% are women only ? Is the Culture Secretary just desperate for publicity this week ?

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:10 pm  

If the Royal and Ancient (Ancient being the operative word here) are happy with clubs barring female members, then I don't have too much of a problem. Many golf clubs still operate covert screening of future members anyway.

R&A are the ultimate arbiters for the game (it's played in long pants so it can't be a sport), so until they insist on completely open membership in all affiliated clubs, the game should receive not one penny of funding from either Sport England or the National Lottery.

If Miller has a problem with current legislation, she is in an ideal position to propose an amendment to address the issue

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:15 pm  

Perhaps, before being so outraged, she should have a word with one of her predecessors, Colin Moynihan, who appears to be a member of the (no women allowed) Brooks's club, or even, from the current crop, Brooks Newmark (yes really) or Rory Stewart, both Conservative MPs, and both members of the (no women allowed) Beefsteak club.

(Yes it's from Wikipedia and yes, I have nothing better to do)

Is the Culture Secretary just desperate for publicity this week ?

You betcha!

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:15 pm  

PS : Harriet's jumped in with her size twelves as well... http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/18/harriet-harman-maria-miller-women-muirfield_n_3615717.html?utm_hp_ref=uk Maybe she'll get around to amending her statement to read "It's time to ban single gender private members clubs" rather than "It's time to ban men-only sport clubs". Personally, having played golf to a very poor standard until being advised that I was a danger to everyone on the course and any property within a quarter mile radius (I'm not kidding), the one thing I hated about the several private clubs (as opposed to local authority or clubs run by huge PLC's) was the petty and ridiculous snobbery and jobworthy-ness that accompanied all of those private clubs that I played at - I was more than happy to hack up their fairways and cause nuisance to their neighbours, but they have a right and its not legal to discriminate against gender in such clubs, and so be it Harriet and Maria...

PS : Harriet's jumped in with her size twelves as well... http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/18/harriet-harman-maria-miller-women-muirfield_n_3615717.html?utm_hp_ref=uk Maybe she'll get around to amending her statement to read "It's time to ban single gender private members clubs" rather than "It's time to ban men-only sport clubs". Personally, having played golf to a very poor standard until being advised that I was a danger to everyone on the course and any property within a quarter mile radius (I'm not kidding), the one thing I hated about the several private clubs (as opposed to local authority or clubs run by huge PLC's) was the petty and ridiculous snobbery and jobworthy-ness that accompanied all of those private clubs that I played at - I was more than happy to hack up their fairways and cause nuisance to their neighbours, but they have a right and its not legal to discriminate against gender in such clubs, and so be it Harriet and Maria...

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:53 pm  

Personally, I think what Inverdale said was unacceptable. He should have been dismissed immediately by the BBC.

On the question of men only clubs my view has always been that if women want a club they should set one up rather than covet someone elses.

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:54 pm  

Just because something legal doesn't make it right.

The Muirfield club can do what they want, it should not however be granted the greatest golf tournament in the world by the R&A.

Those who do not wish to be seen condoning misogyny have every right to decline their invites.

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:35 pm  

If (male) members' only clubs are inherently sexist, are women's only swimming sessions at pools?

As for Miller and Harman – they're as bad as each other.

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:41 pm  

Mintball wrote:

If (male) members' only clubs are inherently sexist, are women's only swimming sessions at pools?

Of course they aren't. There is no denying the ability of the men to join said gym/pool or participate in activities there the same as women on an equal standing.

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:24 pm  

Dally wrote:

Personally, I think what Inverdale said was unacceptable. He should have been dismissed immediately by the BBC.

On the question of men only clubs my view has always been that if women want a club they should set one up rather than covet someone elses.

I've got to agree with this. There are men and women only clubs all over. Forcing a change in the rules of one could set a dangerous precedent for the many others.

Re: Private Members Clubs, and Muirfield, and the BBC : Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:25 pm  

Mintball wrote:

If (male) members' only clubs are inherently sexist, are women's only swimming sessions at pools?

As for Miller and Harman – they're as bad as each other.

But if there are women-only clubs – and there are – then it's sexist to exclude men?