It's a shame that this has reflected badly on BCA, which is trying to follow on with the majority of members' wishes, as expressed by the ballot. However, as a democratic organisation it really can't just ride roughshod over all dissenters but has to try to persuade them to see that theirs is a minority view and therefore the majority have to prevail. (Don't know who said that "Democracy is the worst form of government ... except for all other forms.")
Ian might find it worth remembering that much of the infrastructure which all cavers rely on is supported by funding from BCA. Access and conservation costs in the regions are funded by BCA - and that includes (as an example for DCA) repairing farm gates, renovating parking areas, capping dangerous mineshafts, persuading the National Park to allow an exemption from a "Traffic Restriction Order" so that cavers can use a track to drive close to a site where they are digging and not have to carry heavy gear for a mile to the site, rebuilding walls, installing stiles, etc. All these things benefit all cavers, whether they be Club, regional council or BCA members, or even independent/unaffiliated - but BCA funds them.
Likewise, BCA funds all bolt installation done by regional groups by providing or funding the necessary bolts and resin. And it's highly likely that your friends will use these installations during their caving trips and no-one who ever installed bolts would begrudge this.
So just bear in mind that the freedoms you enjoy to go caving when and where you like with your friends are underpinned by the efforts of other cavers whose efforts are, in turn, supported financially by BCA.
BCA needs your support to be able move forward and it's sad if this support is removed, just when it is most needed.