Piddington, a village in Oxfordshire with approximately 350 residents, held a symbolic referendum to secede from the UK, with 285 votes in favor and 26 against. This vote was a protest against government proposals to convert a former Ministry of Defence site near Bicester into accommodation for up to 1,256 male asylum seekers. The villagers expressed concerns that the influx of migrants, who would outnumber them nearly four to one, would threaten their safety and way of life. The referendum's timing was symbolic, coinciding with the anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Villagers' concerns include increased crime risk, with 133 women writing to female Members of Parliament expressing fear for their safety. They are planning to install wireless CCTV cameras, an emergency alert system, and security patrols, and some women intend to take self-defense classes. Herbert Owen, a 76-year-old villager, described the referendum as the "Battle of Britain," emphasizing a broader dissatisfaction with the government's handling of immigration and its impact on local communities.
Government ministers, including Lisa Nandy, acknowledged the concerns but stated that the asylum backlog is being reduced and the burden of housing asylum seekers needs to be shared across communities. The Home Office highlighted that it is closing asylum hotels, saving over $1 billion on asylum support costs since the last election. They also noted that the proposed site at MoD Bicester would be used for a minimum of 10 years for single adult male asylum seekers.
The proposed site itself has safety concerns for the migrants, as it lacks pedestrian access and travel on foot is not recommended. Minibuses are expected to transport migrants to nearby towns. While the referendum carries no legal weight, it has garnered significant attention and other villages across the UK have approached Piddington for advice on replicating their protest efforts, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with government asylum policies. Similar concerns have been raised at other proposed asylum camp sites, including former RAF bases at Linton-on-Ouse and Barnham.
