Result due in village ‘independence’ vote held over asylum seeker housing plan

Residents of an Oxfordshire village will learn the result of a symbolic independence referendum which was called amid opposition to Government plans to house more than 1,000 asylum seekers nearby.

People living in Piddington were invited to vote on whether to secede from the UK and become an independent state on Tuesday after the Government announced plans to house 1,256 male asylum seekers at a nearby former military base.

The result of the vote, held by Piddington Parish Council, is expected to be announced at 7am on Wednesday.

The result is due at 7am (Ben Whitley/PA)

PA Wire

Pensioner Herbert Owen, known in the village as Herbie, dubbed the independence referendum the “Battle of Britain”.

After casting his vote, Mr Owen told the Press Association: “It means everything our grandparents, our parents fought for – today is the Battle of Britain.

“This isn’t just about Piddington, this is about our whole country. This Government is destabilising our country.

“Wherever they put these people, in camps, in HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), or whatever, they’re ruining people’s lives.”

The 76-year-old described Piddington, which has a population of about 350, as a “wonderful little village” and said it has not changed much since he moved there 33 years ago.

Parish councillor Mike Nixon said the proposed site has no pedestrian access areas and the Government has suggested issuing asylum seekers with high-visibility jackets to keep them safe while walking along a busy road.

He told the Press Association: “The nearest path is about a mile and a quarter away, down a very busy road that’s unlit.”

In the travel plan submitted as part of the Government’s proposals, the site is described as having “limited” pedestrian access and travel on foot was “not recommended”.

Cycling and public transport options may be provided, the document added.

Rupert Lowe MP, leader of the Restore Britain party, told reporters outside the village hall that the vote should be “lauded”.

Herbert Owen claimed the Government is ‘destabilising’ the country (Ben Whitley/PA)

PA Wire

He said: “I think if we’re going to stop this, the people have to rise up and say they’ve had enough, and they’re not going to put up with this.”

A Home Office spokesman said the Government is working to “fairly house asylum seekers” across the country as it closes asylum hotels.

“As part of the process, we engage with local authorities and police forces to ensure the safety and security of those in the surrounding area,” the spokesman added.