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Village votes to leave UK over asylum housing plan in symbolic referendum
Villagers voted overwhelmingly to become an independent state in a symbolic referendum
Residents of an Oxfordshire village have voted to become independent from the UK in a symbolic referendum held in protest at plans to house more than 1,000 migrants at a former military base.
Villagers in Piddington, near Bicester, voted on Tuesday over Home Office proposals to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at nearby MoD Bicester.
The 350 residents were invited to cast their ballot in a small box outside the village hall, the community hub of Piddington.
The referendum was organised by the local parish council and out of 312 votes cast, 285 voted to leave, there were 26 no votes, and one ballot paper was spoiled.
Delivering the result, Susannah Parden, vice chair of the parish council, said: "We are Piddington the village that roars."
Following the result, council chair Tim McNally said: "This is an example of democracy in operation.
"We went into this village hall as the underdogs - we had a plucky idea. We have given a message to the world."
Responding to the village saying it had "roared", Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast: "I think they have – we have heard it, we are listening.
"I do really understand that when changes are made that affect your community it can be very distressing.