From Newsweek · · 1m 30s
English village votes to leave UK over asylum plan
Piddington residents held a symbolic referendum after the government proposed housing 1,250 asylum-seekers at a nearby former military base.
In brief
Piddington residents held a symbolic referendum after the government proposed housing 1,250 asylum-seekers at a nearby former military base. Local communities are pushing back against government asylum plans they say were imposed without consultation, even holding symbolic independence votes. Originally reported by…
Village votes to leave UK
Piddington residents voted 285 to 26 to symbolically become independent from the UK. The nonbinding referendum was triggered by plans to house 1,250 male asylum-seekers nearby.
Former military base in Bicester
The Home Office wants to convert a former Ministry of Defense site near Bicester into an asylum center. No final decision has been communicated yet.
92 percent turnout shows anger
Of 350 residents, 311 voted in the symbolic ballot. One villager called it "the Battle of Britain," while the parish chair said it sent a message "to the world."
“We are Piddington the village that roars”
Government bypassing local planning
The Home Office wants to use Urgent Crown Development to let the Home Secretary bypass local authorities. The move aims to save over £1 billion by closing asylum hotels.
No consultation, falling house prices
Villagers say they weren't consulted on the plans. House prices have dropped, banks have pulled mortgage agreements, and pension property values have fallen.
Labour blames inherited backlog
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said poorer communities shouldn't shoulder the asylum burden alone. She reminded Piddington that Labour inherited a massive asylum backlog.
“we inherited a massive asylum backlog”
At a glance
Local communities are pushing back against government asylum plans they say were imposed without consultation, even holding symbolic independence votes.
