JACKIE Weaver became a lockdown star when her starring role in an online meeting of Handforth Parish Council went viral.
Now the doyenne of English local politics could become the inspiration for the next generation of Scottish councillors.
Weaver attended an "SNP boot camp" for would-be politicians earlier today.
It's not known if she had to cut anyone off, as in the famous Handforth Parish Council session.
But she told her near-30,000 Twitter followers she'd been "made to feel super welcome", adding: "I’m not party affiliated but want to encourage any involvement in local democracy. Get involved to make a change!"
Was made to feel super welcome at the SNP boot camp for young prospective candidates. I’m not party affiliated but want to encourage any involvement in local democracy. Get involved to make a change!
— Jackie Weaver (@jackieweaver) May 22, 2021
Motherwell-born Weaver had been invited to speak about the importance of local democracy at the event for young SNP members, titled "So you think you want to be an SNP councillor".
It was aimed at encouraging younger members to consider standing at next year's local government elections.
Commenting, Bellshill Councillor Jordan James Linden – leader of the opposition on North Lanarkshire Council – said: “It was fantastic to see Jackie Weaver attend our ‘So you want to be an SNP councillor event?’ on Saturday, she has become somewhat of an internet sensation and champion of local government recently.
“Jackie spoke with young SNP councillor hopefuls about the importance of local government and of reading those all-important standing orders!
“It was a pleasure to invite Jackie Weaver to the event, she is welcome back any time – she has the authority here.”
Thank you again Jackie!
— Cllr Jordan James Linden (@JJLindenSNP) May 22, 2021
Was great to have you along. And fantastic words of wisdom! https://t.co/LNJqZgKLbQ
Weaver became internet famous in gloomy December when footage of the parish council meeting she was overseeing racked up thousands of views.
READ MORE: Jackie Weaver got little thanks for supporting parish councillors to hold meetings
As clerk, Weaver handled argumentative male councillors by kicking them off the Zoom call.
The lines shouted at her – "Read the standing orders! Read them and understand them!” and "You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver" – have become memes.
For the hardcore fans, there are even greetings cards and t-shirts.
Weaver, employed by the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, won praise for her cool handling of the events, which many Scottish councillors remarked were all too familiar to them.
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