Cameron whiter than White’s

David Cameron has rescinded his membership of White’s. The most prestigious of the St James’s clubs was the unofficial headquarters of the Tory party at the end of the 18th Century and his late father Ian used to be its chairman.

As the political row over all-male memberships rears its head once more, the Prime Minister has read the lie of the land correctly here. When he became leader of the Conservative Party in 2005, young Dave was attacked for turning a blind eye to the all-male policy of the Tory supporting Carlton Club. Picking his ground wisely then, he used his position to persuade the club to relax its rules on admitting women. But anyone who thinks that 37 St. James’s Street would roll over in similar fashion wants their vitals checking.