“You have no authority here Jackie Weaver” is a phrase that’s been stuck in our minds from the moment it appeared online. The clip, taken from the Handforth Parish council meeting saw chief executive of the local council Jackie Weaver boldly remove Brain Tolver - the chairman.
The meeting, which was deemed 'illegal' by members of the group was supposed to be a rather mundane and routine gathering. But, what are Parish Councils anyway?
Parish councils are formed as the lowest tier of local government in the UK. Although they are elected, their reach of power doesn't stretch very far.
Roles of a Parish council includes: reviewing planning permission, bylaws on street naming and appointing Governors in primary schools. Other miscellaneous tasks are sponsoring charities and funding community transport.
For such a chaotic meeting, it feels like the activities they do are a bit small fry compared to higher orders of government. From an outsiders perspective it feels as though the issues they debate and solve are simply a distraction from their lives.
To put it simply, many of them are retirees. The existence of the Parish council seems to be a bit of a club where older people can exert their power into something, anything, even if it doesn't have much significance on the wider world.
Personally I see parish councils like the Neighbourhood Watch Alliance from the film 'Hot Fuzz'. Forever analysing Britain's smallest details from paths to ponds, this retiree workforce have, at least, something to occupy them.
But, as far as real authority is concerned, they barely scratch the surface.