The residents of Piddington, a village of approximately 350 people in Oxfordshire, are participating in a symbolic referendum to express their opposition to plans for housing over 1,200 asylum seekers at a nearby Ministry of Defence base in Bicester.
The vote was organized by villagers after their pleas to local authorities to halt the plan were reportedly ignored. If the Bicester camp reaches its planned capacity, the number of asylum seekers could significantly outnumber the local population, with campaigners stating women in the village could be outnumbered by a ratio of ten to one.
The result of the referendum is expected on Wednesday morning. Campaigners hope that the symbolic ballot will draw the attention of politicians in Westminster to their concerns. The Labour government is reportedly moving asylum seekers into military barracks across the country as part of an initiative to reduce reliance on hotels and lower housing costs for migrants.
This local action has sparked interest from other communities, with members of Piddington's parish council reporting inquiries from other villages seeking advice on replicating similar campaigns. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has publicly stated his support for such local votes.
Ahead of the vote, residents have voiced concerns about safety. Several women have reportedly signed up for self-defense classes, with some stating they feel a need to take precautions as advised by police. An open letter penned by women in Piddington to female Members of Parliament expressed fears that their safety and security would be threatened by the arrival of the migrants.
According to reports, only a few MPs responded to the letter. Residents have described feeling anxious about the potential impact on their community, citing the village's limited infrastructure, including a lack of a pub or shop, and poorly lit streets.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited Piddington, describing the situation as "stark" and stating that the plans would "dramatically transform the character of the village." She added that she stood with the women of Piddington in their efforts to be heard.
Conservative politicians, including shadow minister for women and equalities Joy Morrissey and shadow home secretary Chris Philp, also met with residents. They raised concerns about the potential for increased crime, suggesting that young male migrants are disproportionately likely to commit sex offenses. They argued that the government should be able to deport illegal immigrants upon arrival rather than housing them in local communities.
The Bicester site is one of three former military bases being considered for housing asylum seekers, with similar facilities already operational in Crowborough, East Sussex, and Wethersfield, Essex, which have also faced local opposition. Asylum seekers housed at these camps are reportedly free to leave and move within surrounding areas.