Barnham residents vote to hold Piddington-inspired referendum over migrant camp plans
Just seven residents voted against holding a referendum on 'leaving the UK'
TL;DR
- Barnham residents voted to hold a referendum on leaving the UK over plans to house 1,250 male migrants at a nearby RAF base.
- The decision follows a similar symbolic vote by Piddington residents.
- Only seven out of 80 attendees at a public meeting voted against holding the referendum.
- The Home Office scaled back plans for the base, now set to host 913 asylum seekers, significantly outnumbering Barnham's population of around 600.
- Barnham Parish Council chairman John Bauer supported the move, stating it demonstrates the strength of feeling against the government's failure to consult the village.
- The idea of seeking help from figures like former US President Donald Trump has been suggested, drawing parallels to Thomas Paine.
- Reform UK-led Suffolk County Council has called for a county-wide referendum, but a Labour MP has refused to back it due to cost concerns.
- A Home Office spokesman stated they are working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation across the country, using former military sites with security measures to reduce community impact.