On September 15, the 350 residents of Piddington, Oxfordshire, held an unofficial referendum to declare independence from the United Kingdom in response to plans by the Home Office to accommodate 1,256 asylum seekers at a nearby Ministry of Defence site. The vote coincided with the annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain, and the village’s demonstration featured symbolic decorations including Union flags, poppies, and an RAF roundel, reflecting the historic significance of the date.

The makeshift poll took place at Piddington Village Hall, which was adorned with bunting and signage reading “Battle for Britain 2026.” After approximately 12 hours of voting, residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of independence. Interviews with voters indicated unanimous support for the move, emphasizing their opposition to the government’s asylum plans.

The village’s parish council chairman, Tim McNally, said the vote was a response to what he described as a broken political system at the national level. Around 50 villagers gathered for a campaign meeting after the polling closed, where celebrations took place. During the meeting, Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe arrived but was denied entry to the hall, which is located in a Liberal Democrat constituency. He departed shortly after.

Residents expressed personal and emotional reasons for their stance. Herbert Owen, 76, who has lived in Piddington for over three decades, referred to his late father’s military service during World War II and the Korean War. Owen said the government’s decision represented a betrayal of that generation’s sacrifices and voiced concerns about potential crimes he attributed to asylum seekers. His comments reflected deep frustration and a sense of loss within the community.

Among the voters was Victoria Hubbocks, 39, a mother of three and part of a group that recently wrote to numerous female MPs seeking support against the asylum accommodation plans. She expressed worries about safety, community disruption, and lack of consultation from the government. Hubbocks cited reports of sexual violence and intimidation near other asylum sites at MDP Wethersfield in Essex and Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex as reasons for the village’s concerns. She also highlighted the delayed police response time, with the nearest station located 45 minutes away.

The referendum, which engaged roughly 300 eligible voters in the small village, was conducted amid growing local unease about the impact of the planned asylum facility. Many residents participated by post, while others turned out in person to cast their ballots. Although the vote has no legal standing, it signals a strong local opposition to the national government’s asylum plans and underscores tensions around the management of immigration and community safety in rural areas.