Key facts
- Piddington villagers voted 285 to 26 to secede from the UK.
- The village plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers on a former military base.
- The newt was selected as Piddington's national animal.
- Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas visited Piddington.
- Resident Rachel Marsh reported receiving violent online threats.
- Parish councillors are considering cricket or football as the national sport.
Residents of Piddington, an Oxfordshire village, have voted overwhelmingly to secede from the UK in protest against government plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers on a nearby former military base. The symbolic ballot, which saw 285 out of 358 villagers vote for independence, was announced on Wednesday, following a decision on Thursday morning to select the newt as the national animal.
The village's independence movement, led by parish council leader Tim McNally, has attracted international media attention, with journalists from Japan, Norway, and Ireland arriving to cover the story. The "Battle for Britain" bunting and "Principality of Piddington" signs reflect a festive atmosphere for some, reminiscent of the Ealing comedy "Passport to Pimlico."
However, the events have also led to divisions and troubling outcomes for some residents. Chef Rachel Marsh, a 20-year resident, reported receiving violent online threats and racist abuse after expressing unease about the use of fear to rally opposition to the asylum seeker plans. She was meeting police officers to discuss her safety.
Daniel Thomas, leader of the anti-migrant movement Patriot Platform, visited the village offering to rally supporters to "protect women and children" if the site is opened. Parish councillor Joe Marshall stated that a meeting was being held with the Patriot Platform to "open a dialogue," emphasizing that all political figures were welcome and that the village's responsibility was to ensure safety and security.
McNally expressed satisfaction that the village had "sent a message to the political jugular" and is sharing advice with other village leaders. He had previously considered renaming the village "Trumpington" if Donald Trump adopted it as the 51st US state. Elon Musk also drew attention to the situation on X, formerly Twitter.
Residents' opposition to the asylum housing plan, announced in June, stems from concerns over environmental risks, the treatment of asylum seekers, and general hostility towards immigrants. The government's use of an 'Urgent Crown Development' application to bypass local planning processes has further fueled discontent. Some locals are focused on legal and environmental challenges, while others highlight perceived risks to local women.