Villagers voting on independence over asylum plans

Villagers in Piddington, Oxfordshire, are voting on independence from the UK over government plans to house asylum seekers at a former Ministry of Defence site.

The symbolic referendum has been organized by the local parish council, with polling taking place between 07:00 and 19:00 BST.

A total of 96% of voters supported a referendum on independence from the UK in a vote held on July 4, 2023, which was synonymous with another declaration of independence from the British state.

The residents of Piddington, in Oxfordshire, are voting over Home Office proposals to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at nearby MoD Bicester.

Speaking outside Piddington village hall on Tuesday, one villager said when it came to holding the vote: "We wouldn't do this lightly. "

The outcome of the referendum, which holds no legal weight and bears a resemblance to the classic Ealing comedy Passport to Pimlico, is expected to be announced on Wednesday morning.

Having just cast his vote, Herbert Owen said the referendum was not "just about Piddington. "

"It means everything our grandparents, our parents fought for – today is the Battle of Britain," he said.

The Home Office first announced its plans for MoD Bicester in June.

Planning documents released by the Home Office last week said the MoD Bicester development "aims to be as self-contained as possible with Service Users having access to a range of essential facilities on site. "