Women, you DO have the authority!

Friday 17 September 2021

Women may have “confidence issues”, but they must remember they DO have the authority, internet sensation Jackie Weaver told Express during a visit to the Channel Islands this week.

She headed to Guernsey this week for a special event held by Women in Public Life to discuss empowerment and engagement in politics in community life.

From Jackie’s obsession with Anton Du Beke to dealing with lack of confidence in the workplace, the event covered a wide range of topics, and was well-received by the near sold-out audience. 

Following the event, she sat down with Express to talk about women in the workplace…

For the unordained in viral internet culture,  Jackie became a familiar face after a chaotic video of a Handforth Parish Council meeting went viral.

After being called in to oversee proceedings by a monitoring officer concerned about Handforth, Jackie remained composed while its Chairman and his "allies" attempted to dismiss her authority to call the meeting. 

Video: The best bits of the chaotic Handforth Parish Council meeting that put Jackie Weaver in the spotlight. (Steven Morgan/YouTube)

Reflecting, she commented: "I think when you sit back afterwards and analyse it, I think you do start to sort of think to yourself, 'I must have felt this way, it must have been like that,’ as in many situations where you feel very much under threat or under pressure.

"You don't experience it in that moment. And I suppose one of the things that kind of helped me in the day job [as Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils] is having a very clear focus on what it is I'm trying to achieve and when I'm able to do that, the rest doesn't seem to have the same impact on me."

She recommended that people “pick their battles”, and speak enthusiastically about what they care most about to make maximum impact. 

Pictured: Jackie Weaver interviewed by Shelaine Green at Women in Public Life's event, You DO Have The Authority!.

Jackie referenced the parallels between UK parish councils and how Channel Island parishes operate, and explained that they are the ideal place to develop personal and transferrable skills to enhance a future in politics while helping the community.

“I think we have confidence issues for us girls,” she added.

She said working in local parish groups to make small but effective changes to the community is the perfect opportunity to get female voices heard and create a confidence which can be carried forward in other situations.

“We don’t like to ask people for help. We see asking people for help as a weakness in ourselves. Sometimes we don’t value ourselves enough to be given help.”

What a beautiful island - so much to see :) pic.twitter.com/3dps1LGBR8

— Jackie Weaver (@jackieweaver) September 14, 2021

Pictured: While in Guernsey, Jackie Weaver enjoyed a visit to its famous Little Chapel.

Jackie noted that there are plenty of women already in these positions who can provide guidance.

"One of the things that surprises me over and over again, is how little we use the sisterhood," said Jackie. 

“The person you should ask is the woman who is already on that Council. I bet she would be absolutely delighted to mentor somebody who is interested in coming forward.”

The event in collaboration with Women in Public Life helped to demystify the current political system in Guernsey, and saw Jackie interviewing Jurat Felicity Quevatre-Malcic, Deputy Tina Bury and St Sampson Douzenier Leonie Le Tissier about their roles in Guernsey life. 

It was highlighted that women need to recognise there is an allowance to grow into a job role, and do not have to fulfil every single requirement on the job description to be the perfect candidate.

Additionally, the nurturing side of women can be hugely beneficial to local politics, according to Jackie.

“We are more likely to see what our children need from this community – so get involved.”

Pictured top: The woman with all the authority, the one and only Jackie Weaver. (Paul Mariess)