Piddington village still divided one month after symbolic vote to leave the UK over asylum seeker centre plans

One resident who supported staying in the UK has received death threats, and racist abuse has been directed online at her husband and children after she spoke out against the protest vote. Parish council leader Tim McNally originally proposed the symbolic independence referendum purely to draw attention to plans for a 1,250-person asylum seeker centre on neighbouring land. The vote drew 285 of the village of 358 residents — as well as far-right activists — to the cause. A separate City A.M. analysis warns that net migration has outpaced Britain's ability to build homes, leaving the country 6.9 million properties short.

Resident Sandra Innes, who thought the referendum was a 'stupid idea', admits: 'it worked.'

At least four other communities have since attempted similar symbolic secession votes.