Suffolk village votes to hold referendum on leaving UK

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 25 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

Barnham in Suffolk has voted to hold a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK in protest at plans to house nearly 1,000 asylum seekers at a former RAF base.

Barnham residents voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to hold a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK in protest at government plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Barnham. Of the 80 people who attended the meeting at the village hall, only six or seven voted against the referendum proceeding. A working group will meet on Monday to set a timeline for the vote, though no date has yet been confirmed.

The Home Office originally earmarked RAF Barnham for 1,250 asylum seekers, but this week revised its application to approximately 930 or 931 migrants. The former RAF base is located near Thetford, on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. Barnham Parish Council chairman John Bauer, who supported the move, said: 'Residents voted decisively in favour of holding a referendum as a means to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the village at the government's failure to consult anyone about a matter which will change the nature of the village.'

The village hopes the referendum will pressure the government to abandon the proposals. It follows Piddington, Oxfordshire, which held a similar symbolic vote in July over plans to house more than 1,000 migrants at a former military base. That vote, in which 96 per cent voted to leave the UK, captured international media attention and was put to the Prime Minister. The Home Office said: 'We recognise the strength of feeling in local communities and are listening carefully to the concerns being raised.' Village objections have so far focused on planning and environmental grounds, including protections for rare birds such as the stone curlew that nest at the site.

How it is being reported

• Village to vote on 'leaving UK' over migrant plansA referendum is to be held on seceding from the UK over plans to move migrants to a former RAF base.BBC Norfolk · 25 Oct, 11:42
• Barnham Brexit is ON! Village prepares to hold vote to leave UK over migrant plansBarnham in Suffolk has agreed to hold a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK in protest at plans to house asylum seekers at RAF Barnham.Eastern Daily Press · 24 Oct, 20:00
• Barnham Brexit on the cards as village fighting migrant base to decide on referendumA Suffolk village fighting plans for nearly 1,000 migrants at RAF Barnham will vote this weekend on whether to hold a symbolic referendum to leave the UKEastern Daily Press · 24 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Barnham · RAF Barnham · Home Office · Suffolk · Piddington · Oxfordshire · John Bauer · Thetford

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