THAT’S RICH! Cameron gets membership of uber-exclusive club... for free
WHEN David Cameron resigned from White’s Club in St James’s at the heart of London’s clubland in 2008, he had little choice.
Though his father, Ian, had been chairman of the oldest and grandest of London’s gentlemen’s establishments, the ambitious future Prime Minister cut the family tie for one reason: White’s banned women – hardly in line with his image as a thoroughly modern Tory leader.
But now, Mr Cameron has joined a new London club – and for free. He has accepted honorary membership of Mark’s Club in Mayfair – described as a ‘haven of exclusivity’.
The disclosure could hardly be less timely for the Prime Minister, coming less than a week after his plan to cut tax credits for low earners was rejected by the Lords.
Membership of Mark’s Club is believed to cost in the region of £2,000 a year. There’s also a one-off joining fee of £1,000 – coincidentally the amount millions of families would stand to lose every year due to the proposed cuts.
The Prime Minister disclosed his membership in the Commons Register of Interests. It states: ‘On October 1, 2015, I accepted honorary membership of Mark’s Club, a private members’ club of 46 Charles St, London. (Registered October 21.)’
Mr Cameron and wife Samantha had a celebratory meal there after the Conservatives’ Election victory in May. The menu has no prices – bringing to mind the old adage that if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.
Insiders say a starter of crab and avocado salad costs £20, while a main course of Dover sole meuniere is £40. Wine starts at £60 a bottle and champagne at £80.
The club is popular with several senior Tories – Boris Johnson held a Christmas party there for supporters last year. Its website states: ‘Mark’s Club offers ladies and gentlemen luxurious comfort and excep- tional service in a calm retreat.’ Mark’s may be less stuffy than White’s but the Camerons will still have to abide by strict rules. If Sam turns up in jeans with Dave in his Converse trainers, they will be politely but firmly turned away.
The dress code says: ‘Ladies should be elegantly dressed’ with denim, T-shirts, cowboy boots and ‘exposed undergarments’ banned.
Men are ‘actively encouraged’ to wear a suit and must wear a ‘jacket and collared shirt at all times’. The club was opened in 1972 by entrepreneur Mark Birley. The current owner, restaurateur Richard Caring, bought Birley’s string of clubs for £100 million in 2007. The club recently reopened after a multimillion-pound make-over by Parisbased designer Tino Zervudachi.
Mr Caring said the changes would ‘embrace Mark’s Club’s timeless tradition while evolving it to become a haven of exclusivity . . . reflective of today’s contemporary, global and sophisticated member.’