The village of Piddington in Oxfordshire, home to just 358 residents, is holding an unofficial referendum on whether to secede from the United Kingdom in protest at government plans to house more than 1,250 male asylum seekers at a former Ministry of Defence site on its outskirts. The campaign, led largely by local women who describe themselves as farmers, accountants, engineers and housewives, has issued an open letter to female MPs raising concerns about the scheme, and reflects growing frustration among ordinary residents who reject being characterised as far-right agitators.

The non-binding vote, organised under formal electoral protocols with a secret ballot, asks residents a simple yes/no question on pursuing "self-determination" and becoming a principality akin to Monaco or Liechtenstein; a show of hands at a preparatory meeting indicated unanimous support. Results are due on Wednesday, though the Government has not sanctioned the ballot and a local council official has warned it may be unlawful. The asylum seekers, described as young, single and undocumented men, would be free to come and go from the site despite Piddington having no shops, cafes or amenities, prompting questions from residents about how they would spend their time in and around the village.