The Oxfordshire village of Piddington has voted in favor of holding a referendum on seeking independence from the United Kingdom, a move spurred by the Home Office's plan to house 1,250 single adult male asylum seekers on the edge of the community. The decision to house asylum seekers at an old Ministry of Defence storage facility was announced to the village's 350 residents with no prior consultation.
Village leaders, frustrated by what they describe as a top-down government decision, have adopted an unconventional strategy. Instead of protests, Piddington has initiated a movement inspired by historical precedents, drawing parallels to the 1949 Ealing Studios film 'Passport to Pimlico,' where a section of London declared independence after discovering historical ties to Burgundy.
The Piddington separatist movement's leader, Tim McNally, chairman of the Parish Council, stated that the government is unlikely to yield to traditional forms of protest. He suggested that if the state acknowledges the rights of undocumented individuals to enter the country, it should also recognize the rights of documented, taxpaying residents to leave. The village is exploring options including becoming a small state within the USA or a principality.
Residents express concerns about the influx of a large number of single men into a rural area with limited amenities and question the safety implications, particularly for women. Concerns have also been raised about the strain on local resources, such as water supply and sewage systems, especially given existing summer shortages.
Villagers report a lack of decisive action or opposition from their local Member of Parliament and district council, who have voiced concerns but not formally opposed the plan. The parish council, however, has taken a leading role in organizing the community's response. An open meeting on July 3 saw near-unanimous agreement on the asylum center plans being unworkable. The following day, July 4, a ballot was held where 178 out of 185 voters endorsed the village's intention to hold a formal referendum on secession.
The campaign team is seeking pro bono legal advice and has received support from individuals across Britain and the U.S. They are also investigating potential contamination issues, including radioactive and asbestos concerns, at the proposed site, citing a video released by an activist that shows deteriorating conditions within the hangars. The Home Office has stated that arrivals will be subject to database checks, but villagers question the efficacy of these checks given past admissions about uncertainties regarding the identities and ages of some arrivals.
To raise awareness and demonstrate their resolve, villagers plan to create a large 'Piddington' sign modeled after the Hollywood sign, near the proposed asylum center. A local farmer has also erected prominent signage near the site entrance expressing opposition to the plan.
The situation is exacerbated by perceived inconsistencies in local authority enforcement, with villagers pointing to instances where council jobsworths are quick to interfere with legitimate planning applications, while significant alterations, such as the expansion of a nearby traveller site without planning permission, appear to go unchecked. The village is also looking to former motorsport boss Ian Phillips and his wife Samantha, an ex-fashion editor, to assist with media messaging. Samantha stated that many women in the village do not feel safe walking alone due to the potential influx of men from cultures with different views towards women.