Piddington has a population of about 350 people. A total of 312 residents participated in the vote: 285 voted for leaving the United Kingdom, 26 against, and one ballot was spoiled. After the vote, supporters of the initiative proclaimed the 'Principality of Piddington'. The unusual action was prompted by a government plan to convert a former military site in the Bicester area into accommodation for asylum seekers. It is expected that up to 1,256 single men could be housed there — several times more than the entire population of Piddington. The government explains the use of former military sites as an effort to reduce costs for hotels for asylum seekers. ### Next Step — the USA? Parish council chairman Tim McNally told Newsweek that if the British authorities do not abandon their plans, the village intends to pursue the idea of joining the United States. According to him, a letter has already been sent to President Donald Trump, and a dossier outlining Piddington's position has been submitted to the American embassy. However, for now, this is primarily a political and media protest action. The referendum has no legal force and does not in itself allow Piddington to leave the United Kingdom or become part of the USA. The story of Piddington is more of an unusual form of protest than a real attempt to change national affiliation. However, the villagers clearly hope that the idea of a '51st state of the USA' will draw attention to their main demand — the authorities' refusal to establish a large center for asylum seekers near their small settlement.
