Misplaced Pages

#222777

54-522: The Bullingdon Club is a private all-male dining club for Oxford University students. It is known for its wealthy members, grand banquets, and bad behaviour, including vandalism of restaurants and students' rooms. The club selects its members not only on the grounds of wealth and willingness to participate but also by reference to their education. The Bullingdon was originally a sporting club, dedicated to cricket and horse-racing , although work meetings gradually became its principal activity. Membership

108-567: A Scandal , based on a novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan , used the Bullingdon Club as inspiration for the fictional club featured within the story. The fictional club is known as 'the Libertines'. In one episode of Frasier , characters Frasier Crane and Alan Cornwall talk about how they tried to join the Bullingdon Club during their Oxford days, but their plans were cut short when after getting blackout drunk, they snuck into

162-646: A dummy image was used instead to make sure that their front page was shown in television coverage the evening before the election. The online edition of the Daily Mirror did not use the image and instead linked to a file of the image hosted by the Daily Mail . Writing for The Guardian , Anne Perkins called the front page "one of the great election pages" and said it captured "the sense of distance between privileged and ordinary" that looked to be an on-going issue for Cameron. Cameron has expressed regret over

216-495: A good game was played there with visiting clubs. The Bullingdon Club dinners were the occasion of a great display of exuberant spirits, accompanied by a considerable consumption of the good things of life, which often made the drive back to Oxford an experience of exceptional nature". A report of 1876 relates that "cricket there was secondary to the dinners, and the men were chiefly of an expensive class". The New York Times told its readers in 1913 that "The Bullingdon represents

270-788: A hunting expedition in South Africa. Pictured in the photograph are Michael Marks, Cassius Clay, Nicholas Green, Timothy Aldersly, Charles Clegg and George Farmer – the son of the former treasurer of the Conservative Party Michael Farmer, Baron Farmer . David Cameron's and Boris Johnson's period in the Bullingdon Club was examined in the UK Channel 4 docu-drama When Boris Met Dave , broadcast on 7 October 2009 on More 4 . An Observer Magazine article in October 2011 reviewed George Osborne's membership of

324-537: A large fountain in the centre of the Quad. Blanche describes the members in their tails as looking "like a lot of most disorderly footmen", and goes on to say: "Do you know, I went round to call on Sebastian next day? I thought the tale of my evening's adventures might amuse him." This could indicate that Sebastian was not a member of the Bullingdon, although in the 1981 TV adaptation , Lord Sebastian Flyte vomits through

378-608: A photography company based in Oxford withdrew any permission to reproduce the image. This led to accusations that the picture had been covered up. Both the Conservative Party and Gillman and Soame denied collusion around this decision. Gillman and Soame explained their action was part of a "policy decision" not to allow publication of any of their school images. It was suspected that the Labour Party intended to use

432-449: A scene recreating the photograph, which The Guardian published as a substitute—citing the copyright issue—in a collection of real photographs of Johnson and Cameron together. The programme dramatized the antics of the Bullingdon Club at the time when Johnson and Cameron were members. A photograph of the Bullingdon Club taken in 1988 was published in the media in 2015. The photograph was found by an Oxford University student newspaper on

486-512: Is a private dining club for male Oxford University students. The club is known for its excessive consumption of alcohol and raucous behaviour, including vandalism of restaurants and student rooms. Formed in the 1700s as a society for cricket and hunting , the club has a long association with the British upper class with former members including Jacob Rothschild , Peter Palumbo and Richard Scott . Future Prime Minister David Cameron

540-429: Is also a Club tie , which is sky blue striped with ivory. These are all provided by the Oxford branch of court tailors Ede and Ravenscroft . In 2007 the full uniform was estimated to cost £3,500. Traditionally when they played cricket, members "were identified by a ribbon of blue and white on their straw hats, and by stripes of the same colours down their flannel trousers". The Bullingdon is not currently registered with

594-592: Is an all-male private dining club for Oxford University students known for its wealthy membership and unruly behaviour. The image was published in the UK media in 2007 and bolstered criticism of Cameron, who at the time was Leader of the Opposition , for being elitist and out of touch with ordinary people. The copyright holders of the photograph then withdrew permission for the image to be reproduced, which greatly reduced its circulation. Despite this, attempts to broadcast

SECTION 10

#1732772308223

648-578: Is expensive, with tailor-made uniforms, regular gourmet hospitality, and a tradition of on-the-spot payment for damage . Some members have gone on to become leading figures within Britain's political establishment. These include former Prime Minister David Cameron , former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne , and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson . The Bullingdon is often featured in fiction and drama. The Bullingdon Club

702-639: The Phoenix Cinema . But the transcript of what they called the wife of the neighbour who went to ask them to be quiet was written in language that is not usually printed". In October 2018, the Oxford University Conservative Association (OUCA) banned members of the Bullingdon Club from holding office within the Association. OUCA president Ben Etty stated that the club's "values and activities had no place in

756-555: The Royal Court Theatre , London. Membership of the club while still a student is depicted in the play as giving a student admission to a secret and corrupt network of influence within the Tory Party later in life. The play was later adapted into the 2014 film The Riot Club . The TV series Peep Show referenced the Bullingdon Club in the first episode of its final series. The 2022 Netflix series Anatomy of

810-544: The University of Mount Olive , and Reed College have the presence of eating clubs. Dining clubs often have reciprocity with other dining clubs across the nation or even worldwide. Some are able to arrange reciprocity with other private social clubs with more facilities besides dining such as overnight guest rooms and a gym. Examples of such social clubs include the Penn Club of New York City , which has reciprocity with

864-526: The University of Oxford , but members are drawn from among the members of the University. On several occasions in the past, when the club was registered, the University proctors suspended it on account of the rowdiness of members' activities, including suspensions in 1927 and 1956. John Betjeman wrote in 1938 that "quite often the Club is suspended for some years after each meeting". While under suspension,

918-499: The 1987 Bullingdon Club positioned on steps outside Christ Church, Oxford . The men are dressed in the club's uniform of tailcoats , blue ties, beige waistcoats, velvet collars, silk lapels and monogrammed buttons which at the time cost around £1,000. In 2007, the picture came to public attention after it was published in a biography of Cameron by Francis Elliott and James Hanning and in The Mail on Sunday . Circulation of

972-491: The Bullingdon point to point. The Wisden Cricketer reports that the Bullingdon is "ostensibly one of the two original Oxford University cricket teams but it actually used cricket merely as a respectable front for the mischievous, destructive or self-indulgent tendencies of its members". By the late 19th century, the present emphasis on dining within the club began to emerge. Long attested that in 1875 "Bullingdon Club [cricket] matches were also of frequent occurrence, and many

1026-831: The Coningsby Club requires members to have been a part of either OUCA or CUCA , the Conservative Associations at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively. Others may require applicants to pass an interview , or simply pay a membership fee. Early dining clubs include the Pitt Club , the Bullingdon Club , and the 16' Club . In the United States , similar social clubs are called eating clubs . Eating clubs date to

1080-611: The India House Club at 1 Hanover Square . This list is incomplete. Date of founding in brackets. 18th-century, or earlier, foundations 19th-century foundations 20th- and 21st-century foundations 1987 Bullingdon Club photograph In 1987, a photograph was taken of uniformed members of the Bullingdon Club featuring many people who went on to hold prominent positions in finance, business, media and government, including future Prime Ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson . The Bullingdon Club

1134-544: The acme of exclusiveness at Oxford; it is the club of the sons of nobility, the sons of great wealth; its membership represents the 'young bloods' of the university". During the Second World War , an extension of the club was founded at Colditz Castle for imprisoned officers who had been members of the club while at Oxford. Former pupils of public schools such as Eton , Harrow , St. Paul's , Stowe , Radley , Oundle , Shrewsbury , Rugby and Winchester form

SECTION 20

#1732772308223

1188-425: The blinds and doors of the building, and again on 20 February 1927. As a result of such events, the club was banned from convening within 15 miles (24 km) of Oxford. While still Prince of Wales, Edward VIII had a certain amount of difficulty in getting his parents' permission to join the Bullingdon on account of the club's reputation. He eventually obtained it only on the understanding that he never join in what

1242-473: The bulk of its membership. In the 21st century the Bullingdon is primarily a dining club , although a vestige of the club's sporting links survives in its support of an annual point to point race. The Club President, known as the "General", presents the winner's cup, and the club members meet at the race for a champagne breakfast. The club also meets for an annual Club dinner. Guests may be invited to either of these events. There may also be smaller dinners during

1296-556: The cells would be regarded as being par for a Buller man and so would debagging anyone who really attracted the irritation of the Buller men." In December 2005, Bullingdon Club members smashed 17 bottles of wine, "every piece of crockery," and a window at the 15th-century White Hart pub in Fyfield, Oxfordshire . The dinner was organised by Alexander Fellowes, son of Baron Fellowes and nephew to Diana, Princess of Wales ; four members of

1350-412: The club has met in relative secrecy. The club was active in Oxford in 2008/9, although not registered with the University. In his retirement speech as proctor, Professor of Geology Donald Fraser noted an incident which, not being on University premises, was outside their jurisdiction: "some students had taken habitually to the drunken braying of 'We are the Bullingdon' at 3 a.m. from a house not far from

1404-422: The club, calling it "a truly shameful vignette of almost superhuman undergraduate arrogance, toffishness and twittishness." The club's colours are sky blue and ivory. Members dress for their annual lllClub dinner in bespoke tailored tailcoats in dark navy blue, with a matching velvet collar, offset with ivory silk lapel revers, brass monogrammed buttons , a mustard waistcoat , and a sky blue bow tie . There

1458-564: The club, including Jonathan Ford of the Financial Times , and retail CEO Sebastian James is the best-known example. In an interview with the BBC 's Andrew Marr , David Cameron said that the photograph was an embarrassment. BBC Two's Newsnight commissioned a painting to recreate the photograph because the photographers who own the copyright objected to its being published on commercial grounds. A photograph taken in 1988, also depicting

1512-540: The club. The Bullingdon is satirised as 'the Bollinger Club' ( Bollinger being a notable brand of champagne ) in Evelyn Waugh 's novel Decline and Fall (1928), where it has a pivotal role in the plot: the mild-mannered hero is blamed for the Bollinger Club's destructive rampage through his college and is sent down . Tom Driberg claimed that the description of the Bollinger Club was a "mild account of

1566-401: The day of the 2010 general election despite the risk of repercussions for breaching copyright laws. Writing in the paper, Tony Parsons said the photograph "is the picture that David Cameron really, really doesn't want you to see". The Daily Mirror argued that the image is "in the public domain and its publication is absolutely in the public interest". In the first edition of the paper,

1620-553: The former British Prime Minister David Cameron, former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. A number of episodes over many decades have provided anecdotal evidence of the club's behaviour. Infamously on 12 May 1894, after dinner, Bullingdon members smashed almost all the glass of the lights and 468 windows in Peckwater Quad of Christ Church , along with

1674-420: The future British Prime Minister David Cameron, this time as Club President and standing in the centre of the group, later emerged. It was found by the student newspaper, VERSA , among over a dozen other photographs of the club dated between 1950 and 2010 hanging on the wall of the tailor that is believed to have made the members' suits, and led to a number of other past members being identified. Gillman and Soame,

Bullingdon Club - Misplaced Pages Continue

1728-491: The image have still been made such as the commissioning of a painting of the photograph by the BBC and the photograph being displayed on the front page of the Daily Mirror in 2010. Other photographs of the Bullingdon Club featuring senior Conservative politicians have since emerged. Cameron later expressed his embarrassment over the photograph and remorse for his membership of the Bullingdon Club. The Bullingdon Club

1782-452: The image occurred close to media coverage regarding Cameron's use of cannabis while at Eton College. The image was seen as proof of how different politicians like Cameron and Johnson were far from normal people and raised questions around Cameron's wealth and class. Labour politician Roy Hattersley called the image "far more embarrassing" than the recent cannabis story. Political commentator Peter Hitchens said it showed Cameron "is not

1836-414: The image on campaign posters. After authorization to reproduce the image was withdrawn, the photograph was rarely published. To circumvent the copyright protection, Michael Crick from BBC program Newsnight commissioned a painting of the photograph to use on the program instead. The artist Rona Marsden, who at the time was not aware of the full story regarding the photograph, was hired to create

1890-501: The late 19th and early 20th centuries and are intended to allow college students to enjoy meals and pleasant discourse. Some clubs are referred to as bicker clubs because of the process of bickering over which applicants to accept as members. Replaced largely by the modern fraternity and sorority system , eating clubs are now limited to a few colleges and universities, most prominently at Princeton University , though other universities including Stanford University , Davidson College ,

1944-468: The library and tried to steal Oscar Wilde 's walking stick, only to end up getting tackled by a group of librarians and forever banned from the club. Past members of the club include: Dining club A dining club differs from a gentlemen's club in that it does not have permanent premises, often changing the location of its meetings and dinners. Clubs may limit their membership to those who meet highly specific membership requirements. For example,

1998-503: The modern Conservative Party'". This decision was overturned several weeks later "on a constitutional technicality", although Etty was confident that "that ban will be re-proposed very soon". The ban was later re-implemented on appeal to OUCA's Senior Member and remains in effect. A number of the club's annual photographs have emerged over the years, with each giving insight into its past members. A photograph taken in 1987 depicting David Cameron and Boris Johnson among other members of

2052-748: The night of any Bullingdon Club dinner in Christ Church . Such a profusion of glass I never saw until the height of the Blitz . On such nights, any undergraduate who was believed to have 'artistic' talents was an automatic target." Waugh mentions the Bullingdon by name in Brideshead Revisited . In talking to Charles Ryder, Anthony Blanche relates that the Bullingdon attempted to "put him in Mercury" in Tom Quad one evening, Mercury being

2106-477: The old Bullingdon Club, which was expensive and exclusive". This foundational sporting purpose is attested to in the club's symbol. Harry Mount suggests that the name itself derives from this sporting background, proposing that the club is named after the Bullingdon Hundred , a past location of the annual Bullingdon Club point-to-point race. This origin of the club is marked by an annual breakfast at

2160-414: The ordinary bloke that he claims to be". Johnson's sister, Rachel , described the picture as "elitist, arrogant, privileged and of an age that would have little resonance with people on low incomes who didn't go to Eton." Perry-Robinson, who was one of those photographed, described the photograph as "sexy" and "an interesting artefact historically". The same year the copyright holders, Gillman and Soame,

2214-470: The painting. Newsnight filmed Marsden painting in her studio in Oxford. She travelled with the painting to the BBC's London studios as the paint was drying. The painting has been reproduced by a number of newspapers. Marsden was allowed to keep the painting and has sold prints and tea towels reproducing it. The painting was auctioned in 2016. The photograph was used on the front cover of the Daily Mirror on

Bullingdon Club - Misplaced Pages Continue

2268-617: The party were arrested. A further dinner was reported in 2010 after damage to Hartwell House , a country house in Buckinghamshire . The Bullingdon has been mentioned in the debates of the House of Commons in order to draw attention to excessive behaviour across the British class spectrum, and to embarrass prominent Conservative Party politicians who are former members of the Bullingdon. Johnson has since tried to distance himself from

2322-497: The photograph and his time in the Bullingdon Club. In a 2009 interview with Andrew Marr , he said he was "desperately, very embarrassed" about the photograph. In his biography, Cameron detailed his shame over the "much-reproduced photograph taken of our group of appallingly over-self-confident 'sons of privilege'". Cameron wrote, "If I had known at the time the grief I would get for that picture, of course I would never have joined." The 2009 docudrama When Boris Met Dave features

2376-508: The photographers who own the copyright to the image, withdrew permission for it to be reproduced. VERSA , which discovered the photographs, commissioned sketches to reproduce the scenes depicted in them. A photograph of the club taken in 1992 depicted George Osborne , Nathaniel Rothschild , David Cameron's cousin Harry Mount and Ocado founder Jason Gissing . In 2013, a new photograph emerged of club members flying by private jet to

2430-535: The posing members, Boris Johnson and David Cameron , had gone on to careers in politics and at the time were, respectively, Conservative candidate for Mayor of London and Leader of the Conservative party . The copyright owners have since declined to grant permission to use the picture. Following negative media attention and the club's apparent depiction in the play Posh and its film adaptation The Riot Club —membership has supposedly dwindled. In 2016 it

2484-536: The shoot. Nearby non-member students heckled the club as they left, with one even playing " Yakety Sax " (the theme song for The Benny Hill Show ). The club has always been noted for its wealthy members, grand banquets, and boisterous rituals, including the vandalisation of restaurants, public houses , and college rooms, complemented by a tradition of on-the-spot payment for damage. Its ostentatious displays of wealth attract controversy, since some former members have subsequently achieved high political positions, notably

2538-421: The wall of Oxford clothes shop Ede & Ravenscroft, which makes the uniforms for the club. The photograph again featured Cameron with other club members posing on steps outside a building. Like the 1987 photograph, the newer photograph was seen as bolstering criticism that Cameron was out of touch with ordinary people. A 1992 photograph of the Bullingdon Club featuring George Osborne and Nathaniel Rothschild

2592-470: The window of Charles Ryder's college room while wearing the famous Bullingdon tails. The 2008 film adaptation of Brideshead Revisited likewise clothes Flyte in the club tails during this scene, as his fellow revellers chant "Buller, Buller, Buller!" behind him. A fictional Oxford dining society inspired by clubs like the Bullingdon forms the basis of the play Posh by Laura Wade , staged in April 2010 at

2646-415: The year to mark the initiation of new members or in celebration of other occasions. The club often books private dining rooms under an assumed name, as most restaurateurs are cautious of the club's reputation as being the cause of considerable drunken damage during the course of their dinners. In 2007, a photograph of the Bullingdon Club taken in 1987 was discovered. It made British headlines because two of

2700-434: Was claimed that only between four and six members were left, all of them postgraduates, and that no new undergraduate members joined the previous year. Many Oxford students cited an unwillingness to be associated with "ostentatious wealth celebration". In June 2017, members of the club attempting to shoot their annual Club Photo on the steps of Christ Church were escorted out by college porters for not securing permission for

2754-521: Was founded more than 200 years ago. Petre Mais claims it was founded in 1780 and was limited to 30 men, and Viscount Long , who was a member in 1875, described it as "an old Oxford institution, with many good traditions". Originally it was a fox hunting and cricket club, and Thomas Assheton Smith the Younger is recorded as having batted for the Bullingdon against Marylebone Cricket Club in 1796. In 1805 cricket at Oxford University "was confined to

SECTION 50

#1732772308223

2808-439: Was invited to join the Bullingdon Club at the end of his first year at Oxford University. People who knew Cameron at the time have said that he was not a typical Bullingdon Club member as he had a careful demeanour and was not known to be a heavy drinker. Other future prominent Conservative politicians who were members of the club around this time included Boris Johnson and George Osborne . The photograph shows members of

2862-414: Was published in multiple newspapers in 2008. The photograph gave the impression of Osborne having had a privileged upbringing. Osborne said it was embarrassing to see the photograph of himself "dressed up like a penguin". The photograph was recreated by homeless people in 2019 for use in an exhibition by a homelessness charity. In 2020, a group of black Oxford University students took a photograph in

2916-463: Was then known as a "Bullingdon blind", a euphemistic phrase for an evening of drink and song. On hearing of his eventual attendance at one such evening, Queen Mary sent him a telegram requesting that he remove his name from the club. Andrew Gimson, biographer of Boris Johnson, reported about the club in the 1980s: "I don't think an evening would have ended without a restaurant being trashed and being paid for in full, very often in cash. [...] A night in

#222777