- Residents of Piddington, an Oxfordshire village, have voted overwhelmingly for symbolic independence from the UK in protest against Home Office plans to house 1,256 asylum seekers at a nearby former military site.
- The unofficial referendum saw a turnout of nearly 92 per cent, with 285 villagers voting in favour of independence, 26 voting against and one spoiled ballot.
- The government intends to bypass local planning authorities using the Urgent Crown Development Process to utilise the disused Bicester barracks.
- Senior minister Jonathan Reynolds defended the proposal, arguing that former military sites are more suitable than hotels and that communities across the UK must share the responsibility.
- Parish chairman Tim McNally criticised the Home Office over a lack of local consultation, stating that the proposal has already negatively impacted local property values.
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