The village of Piddington in Oxfordshire is preparing to hold a symbolic referendum on independence on Tuesday, driven by concerns over a proposed plan to use a nearby military base to house asylum seekers. The Home Office is considering using the Bicester barracks to accommodate 1,250 asylum seekers, a proposal that has sparked strong opposition from local residents. Many in the village worry that the plan could disrupt their community and raise safety and security concerns. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has previously argued that wealthier areas of the UK should share the responsibility of housing asylum seekers, rather than placing the burden solely on poorer communities. He said he was open to listening to local concerns and working with communities to find solutions. His comments have been welcomed by some in Piddington, who see his stance as a sign that their concerns are being taken seriously. On 4 July, the 250th anniversary of American independence, 96% of Piddington voters supported holding a referendum on independence, which will take place on Tuesday. The referendum will ask residents whether their village should become independent from the UK. While the move is symbolic, it reflects the deep unease among locals about the proposed asylum seeker housing plans. Tim McNally, the chair of Piddington council, said he was satisfied that Burnham had acknowledged the situation and was willing to help find a way forward. He supported the idea that middle-class communities should contribute but stressed that Piddington was not seeking to avoid national responsibility. Instead, he emphasized concerns about the scale, location, and process of the housing plans, not the people being housed. Mike Nixon, the vice-chairman of Piddington Parish Council, said the government's plans would threaten residents' human rights, security, and way of life. While he agreed with Burnham's general principle of dispersing asylum seekers into middle-class areas, he believed it was impractical and unnecessary to do so in Piddington. He expressed frustration over the lack of direct communication from the Home Office and said the village felt it had no choice but to consider independence if its concerns were not addressed. The Home Office has stated that asylum seekers would be housed in a self-contained former military base in Piddington, with all necessary facilities on-site. They would be allowed to leave the site, according to minister Anna Turley. The government is also exploring other locations, including other former military bases, industrial sites, and student accommodation, for housing asylum seekers. Meanwhile, local residents have raised their concerns directly with politicians, including shadow home secretary Chris Philp and Reform UK MPs, following an open letter from 133 female residents.