𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A rural Oxfordshire village will hold a symbolic independence “referendum” on Tuesday to protest against controversial Government plans to house more than 1,000 asylum seekers at a nearby former military base.

The proposal, which would mean 1,256 male asylum seekers moving into the base near Piddington, about 4.5 miles south-east of Bicester, has sparked anger and fear among many village residents.

On July 4, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, 96% of Piddington voters backed holding an independence referendum, which will take place on Tuesday.

The vote will invite residents to express whether their village should become independent from the UK.

Last month Mike Nixon, the vice-chairman of Piddington Parish Council, said the Home Office plans would threaten residents’ human rights, security and way of life.