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 ?

[urlhttp://news.sky.com/story/1117263/culture-secretary-blasts-bbc-for-sexist-sport[/url

...and she is also boycotting her attendance at this years British Open Golf because of Muirfield's ban on women members.

[urlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23346840[/url

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 ?

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

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)



You betcha!

PS : Harriet's jumped in with her size twelves as well...

[urlhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/18/harriet-harman-maria-miller-women-muirfield_n_3615717.html?utm_hp_ref=uk[/url


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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

It was out the arc and Inverdale is past his sell by date as a presenter anyway IMO but you at least have to adopt the required disciplinary process rather than sack someone on the spot.

I am getting rather uncomfortable with the dictatorial attitudes and arbitrary ripping up of rules displayed when issues arise these days. There seems to be an attitude to punish in a vindictive way peoples failures as if they had committed a crime.



I don't think such a generalisation covers the issues. If for example women were barred from playing the golf course at St. Andrews as it was for the exclusive use of a men only golf club, setting up a woman only club down the road even if they could find a suitable lynx doesn't address the issue.

Whats wrong with a man or a woman having a haven away from the opposite sex for a while. When I want a bit of peace and quiet from my missus I go 30m underwater, works a treat

Inverdale's words about the tennis player not being "a looker" were about the low level I'd expect from him.
He knows one sport and one sport only, e.g. during the Olympics it was clear he hadn't a clue about athletics.
The BBC should have a good think about his future.

Nonetheless, it's not a matter for the minister.

Totally agree on both counts.

More widely, I don't personally give much of a toss about. Even from a feminist perspe give, there are more important issues. But equally, there are clubs where it does matter. God - I remember reporting the first women MCC members allowed n the hallowed place, for instance. And a lot of that is symbolic, but importantly symbolic.

But then, as I touched on, I have no time for Miller or Harman (one of whom I have met). The latter is cleverer (more devious?) than the latter, but I wouldn't trust her further than I cou throw her. Then again, I deeply dislike and distrust 'rad fems'.

Given that the next big tournament at St Andrews is a womens event, but they can't be members, it's all a bit odd.

The latter must be devious if she is cleverer than herself.

The Carlton Club is a favoured haunt of senior politicians, bankers, old stockbrokers and captains of industry. It has always held a firm Men-only policy, apart from the time it conferred "honorary member" status on Thatcher. I've no idea whether she availed herself of the privilege but I firmly believe excluding private members' clubs from sex-discrimination legislation was a deliberate act by the sort of 2@s who habit such dens of iniquity

Our coach to the semi-final to support [iOld Faithful[/i is strictly men only and for that I make no excuses.

Groucho Marx summed that sort of thing nicely I believe

The Old Course at St Andrews? If that is the one you mean you need to check your facts.



It is a public course on common land, there are no members.

yup, you do

[url=http://uk.ask.com/wiki/The_Royal_and_Ancient_Golf_Club_of_St_Andrews#Membership_policylink[/url

Nope, mine are right, but I'm not relying (and not reading the page properly) on Wiki for my arguments

I take an opposite but yet complementary view to that gentleman.
Whereas he wouldn't want to join any club that would have him as a member, I like the idea that all the reactionary old farts are holed-up together somewhere where I wouldn't want to go.
Whether those farts are men or women, the same applies.

Since when did it become the norm for women in power to ram rampant feminism down everybody's throats? Inverdale, as we all know, is a bit of a twunt, but he's apologised and been dealt with by his employer. Done, finished with.