Following yesterday’s cries from the leaders of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments to have a independence referendum, a small village from England’s South East has chimed in calling for the same treatment.
Piddington, a village situated in Oxfordshire, not too far from the border of Buckinghamshire and home to just under 400 people will be holding a referendum of their own today on whether to remain or to leave the United Kingdom.
Why Has This Happened?
Back in June, the Home Office announced plans to move over 1,000 male asylum seekers out of hotels and to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) site which lies between Piddington and other villages in Upper and Lower Arncott.
This announcement witnessed severe backlash from the local parish council.
Chairperson Tim McNally noted that he was concerned and fearful over the “security” surrounding the decision – worries which started the ball rolling back in July for today’s vote.
Ahead of the landmark ballot, the woman of the village (totalling 133) sent an open letter to all female MPs in which they cited their personal grievances over the Home Office’s handling of the situation.
“Life as we know it will be destroyed” the letter stated. “We will not feel safe walking our streets, we are already living in fear.”
Suella Braverman and Sarah Pochin both of Reform UK were among the politicians to reply to the open letter and on Monday they visited 20 residents alongside Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip and the Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Joy Morrissey.
The Home Office responded to the letter saying “concerns of communities” was a core reason to the government’s current immigration reform plans.
“That is why we are closing every asylum hotel and moving asylum seekers into alternative accommodation, including former military sites” a spokesperson added.
Will Piddington separate from the UK if residents vote for it?
In short, no. Towns, cities and of course in this case villages can hold referendums such as this, however there is no legal way in the UK for one to be able to break away therefore making any such vote merely a symbolic gesture.
Mr. McNally believes that despite not being able to make a major change at a country level it’s still an opportunity for the people of Piddington to have their voices be heard.
