More than 300 British lawyers including Cherie Blair, wife of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair, have signed a petition demanding that one of London's oldest and most prestigious clubs, the Garrick, which celebrates its 190 years on Tuesday, finally admits women .
Like a dozen other prestigious London clubs (White's, Boodle's), the Garrick, nestled in the heart of the Covent Garden district and with judges, lawyers, officials and actors, is reserved for men.
Among the signatures, Cherie Blair, wife of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair
Asking members of the Garrick "if they would remain members of a club that practiced exclusion on the grounds of race, religion or sexuality", an online petition invites them "to behave in an ethical manner, to ask for a vote and vote in favor of admitting women ”.
Among the famous signatories was Cherie Blair, wife of former Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair, who recalled an anecdote from the time they were both interns: “Forty-five years ago I stayed outside the Garrick while my supervisor took Tony Blair, a student like me, inside.
It is scandalous that so little progress has been made since then ”.
In 2015, the Garrick had organized a vote on openness to women, supported by several prominent members - actor Hugh Bonneville, Minister Michael Gove, several Lords.
But without success, because of too short a majority of 50.5% when it took two thirds.
Club member actor Nigel Havers signed the petition, adding that it was "surely time for the Garrick to enter the 21st century".
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