Piddington village to hold independence referendum over asylum site plans

Residents of Piddington, a small village in Oxfordshire, are preparing for a second symbolic independence referendum on September 15. The vote serves as a protest against a UK government proposal to house up to 1,250 male asylum seekers at a nearby former Ministry of Defence site.

The village, which had 358 residents according to the 2021 census, previously held a vote on July 4 where 98 per cent of residents voted in favor of leaving the United Kingdom. Campaigners describe the upcoming referendum as a way to formally document local opposition and draw attention to the issue.

To promote the campaign, supporters have released an AI-generated music video and anthem titled ‘Battle for Britain’. The project aims to highlight the scale of the proposed accommodation, which would house more than three times the village's current population.

Border Security and Asylum Minister Anna Turley stated that no final decision has been made, as the site is still subject to feasibility assessments and planning permissions. The government has submitted an Urgent Crown Development application, citing the national importance of the proposal to reduce reliance on hotels for asylum seeker housing.