Carlton Club
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The Carlton Club is a gentlemen's club in London. It was founded in 1832, the Reform Club being formed in 1836 as a counterpart, and from the outset was associated with the Conservative Party; indeed, playing a role in the transition from the Tory party to its modern successor.
Many Conservative MPs have been members, and it was most famous for the 'Carlton Club meeting' of 19 October 1922, in which backbench Conservative MPs decided to overthrow their leader Austen Chamberlain and withdraw from the David Lloyd George–led coalition. MPs voted 185 to 85 in favour of discontinuing the Coalition, after speeches from Bonar Law and Baldwin who said that the fact Lloyd George was a 'dynamic force' was a dangerous thing.
The club's original building in Pall Mall, London was bombed in World War II, and so it subsequently moved premises to a newer building, 69 St James' Street, London SW1, formerly the premises of Arthurs' which had fallen on hard times. The current clubhouse is architecturally important and includes two elegant dining rooms together with a stunning collection of political portraits and paintings dating back to the 18th century.
In 1977 the Junior Carlton Club merged with the Carlton Club.
At 8:39 p.m. on June 25, 1990, the Carlton Club was bombed, [1] allegedly by the IRA, injuring the porter.
Only men may become full members after being proposed and seconded by a number of current members. Ladies may become associate members, paying a lower subscription but entitled to use only some of the facilities. The leader of the Conservative Party is invited to become an honorary member. Honorary members are entitled to use the full range of the Club's facilities. Margaret Thatcher therefore as an honorary member is entitled to use the same facilities as other full members.
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