Residents of Piddington held a symbolic referendum after authorities proposed housing more than 1,000 asylum seekers at a former military site.
Residents of an English village numbering roughly 350 people have voted overwhelmingly in favor of seceding from the United Kingdom, staging a symbolic protest against a plan to house more than 1,000 migrants near their community.
The mock referendum took place in Piddington, a village in central England located about 25 kilometers from Oxford, following government proposals to convert an unused nearby military site into an accommodation center for over 1,200 asylum seekers.
The local parish council announced that out of 312 ballots counted, 285 residents voted to break away from the UK. While the vote carried no legal weight, it drew significant attention as an expression of local frustration.
Voters were handed ballot papers reading: “I support Piddington seeking to secede from the United Kingdom and achieve independence.” Tim McNally, chairman of the local parish council, told Sky News that the village would now be referred locally as the “Principality of Piddington.”
“For us, the real issue is numbers,” McNally said, highlighting the disproportionate impact of placing 1,250 men in a rural community of just 350 residents. He accused authorities of attempting to rush the controversial project through without adequate consideration.
Local officials and council leaders have raised multiple concerns regarding the proposed site. Tim Bearder, head of Oxfordshire County Council, warned the BBC that the location could become a focal point for far-right protests and potential security risks directed at asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that authorities would review the community’s concerns expressed through the referendum. However, Burnham defended the broader initiative, arguing that a strong majority of British citizens support ending the use of hotels for asylum seekers and that distributing housing facilities across different regions is a fair approach.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also defended the plan in comments to the BBC, describing the use of a former military base as a more suitable option compared to expensive hotels or rented accommodation.
The dispute highlights ongoing public anxiety across parts of the UK regarding the housing of asylum seekers and illegal immigration, an issue that has frequently triggered local demonstrations and political debate.