The people of Piddington in Oxfordshire have voted overwhelmingly in a symbolic referendum to become an independent state, in protest at Government plans to house 1,256 male asylum seekers in a nearby former military base
A small village has voted overwhelmingly to declare itself an independent state in a symbolic “referendum”. Residents of Piddington in Oxfordshire voted to break away from the UK following the Government’s announcement of plans to accommodate 1,256 male asylum seekers at a nearby former military base.
Described as the “Battle for Britain”, the referendum saw 285 villagers supporting “independence”, with a turnout of approximately 92 per cent. Just 26 residents opposed the motion, with one spoiled ballot paper.
The outcome was declared by a returning officer as dozens of journalists and local residents assembled outside the village hall on Wednesday morning. A banner reading “Battle of Britain 2026” was displayed outside the hall, alongside another marking the date of the World War II military campaign on September 15, 1940.
Herbert Owen, known locally as Herbie, had previously stressed that the referendum “isn’t just about Piddington”. After casting his vote, Mr Owen told the Press Association: “It means everything our grandparents, our parents fought for – today is the Battle of Britain.
“This isn’t just about Piddington, this is about our whole country. This Government is destabilising our country. Wherever they put these people, in camps, in HMOs, or whatever, they’re ruining people’s lives.”
Mr Owen, 76, described Piddington – home to roughly 350 residents – as a “wonderful little village”, which has changed little since he first settled there 33 years ago. The village has been flooded with members of the press covering the vote, with large numbers of journalists descending upon the village hall in the otherwise peaceful community.
Mr Owen said: “We need the media to support us. We’ve got more publications and more TV than any marches, riots.
“But if the Government doesn’t do something, I’m afraid for the country. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I feel for the country, for the people.”
Mr Owen’s wife, Jennifer, told PA she believed residents’ concerns had been dismissed by the Government, which initially neglected to put the proposals out for public consultation.
“It’s like we’re nobody. The village is nobody, according to the Government,” she said.
The boundary of the proposed site sits adjacent to the tree line of a village green in Piddington, which is owned by the parish council and features children’s play equipment and a fitness trail.
Mrs Owen raised concerns that the location was unsuitable and expressed worries about the safety and wellbeing of children and dog walkers who regularly use the space.
She said: “I’m an old-age pensioner, but I fear for the women and the children in the village. They won’t be safe to go out in the village, not on their own, they’ll have to have their husbands with them. It will wreck children’s lifestyle, their livelihoods.”
Mrs Owen pointed out that most people in Piddington know one another and have a chat when they are out and about, or while attending the occasional pop-up bar in the village hall. She maintained the site would “change our lives forever” if it were to be approved.
When asked how it felt to cast her vote in the symbolic ballot, Mrs Owen said: “Bit of sense of power.
“We can’t actually leave the United Kingdom, but it just brings things out in the open more for the country as a whole. All the parish councils in the country should do the same thing.”
Parish councillor Mike Nixon emphasised that the proposed site has no pedestrian access, with the Government proposing asylum seekers be given high-visibility jackets for safety while walking along a busy road.
He told PA: “The nearest path is about a mile and a quarter away, down a very busy road that’s unlit.
“Their (the Government’s) own document says it’s not recommended that pedestrian access is used, so they’re proposing that residents would use the shuttle bus service from the site.
“And to further discourage them, they’re suggesting that should they walk, they would be issued high-vis jackets, and that’s the only mitigation for the residents’ safety.
“The road itself, the B4011, is a busy road, 50-mile-an-hour speed limit, but vehicles will regularly go in excess of that, so it is likely that there would be significant risk of road traffic collisions, injury, or even death, should the plan go ahead.”
Mr Nixon went on to highlight that the proposed location was vulnerable to surface water flooding, while also being hampered by an inadequate foul water drainage system and an insufficient power supply. He continued: “The site itself is wholly inadequate in terms of its infrastructure – so insufficient power, not enough water, no sewerage, prone to flooding.
“Apart from that, it sounds pretty good.”
In the travel plan submitted alongside the Government’s proposals, the site is described as offering “limited” pedestrian access, with walking “not recommended”.
Options for cycling and public transport may be provided, the document stated. Rupert Lowe MP, leader of the Restore Britain party, spoke to members of the press outside the hall on Tuesday evening, as residents gathered for a parish council meeting.
He said: “I think what they’re doing is to be to be lauded, I think if we’re going to stop this, the people have to rise up and say they’ve had enough, and they’re not going to put up with this.”
When asked about his party’s alternative solution, Mr Lowe stated, “They should be deported immediately”, before adding: “Worst case, we take them to an island offshore, build a tented camp, put them in there until they decide they want to go home.”
A Home Office spokesman responded: “The Government is closing every asylum hotel, saving taxpayers over £1 billion on asylum support since the election.
“We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country, moving asylum seekers into alternative accommodation, including former military sites which are designed to be self-contained to reduce impact on the local community.
“As part of the process, we engage with local authorities and police forces to ensure the safety and security of those in the surrounding area.”
Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.
