GB News Breakfast interrupted its regular programming to broadcast live from the Oxfordshire village of Piddington, where residents announced the results of a vote on whether to secede from the UK. The vote was held in response to government plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at a Ministry of Defence site between Piddington and Upper and Lower Arncott.
Presenters Alex Armstrong and Ellie Costello went live to the village as the count was announced. Susannah Parden, vice chair of Piddington Parish Council, acted as returning officer for the vote, which took place on 15 September 2026.
Residents vote overwhelmingly for secession
Parden announced: “I have the privilege today of being the returning officer for this historic vote that this village held yesterday on the 15th of September 2026. And the question was, do you support Piddington to secede from the UK and pursue self-determination? I am pleased to announce that last night, following our village meeting, the votes were counted and verified.”
She continued: “We had 312 votes counted, which is nearly 92 per cent of the ballot papers issued, and the results are as follows: We had 285 yes votes. We had 26 no votes, and we had one ballot paper that was spoiled and will not be included in this count.”
Council chair addresses national leaders
As the crowd cheered, council chair Tim McNally gave a speech. He said: “Yesterday was the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and for us, it was the Battle for Britain. We've been identified as ground zero for a whole number of issues.”
McNally addressed Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the Speaker of the House of Lords, the Speaker of the Commons, and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch. “This is an example of democracy in operation. This is an example of a mandate of behaviour,” he said.
He described the village's campaign, which began on 3 July, as starting “as the underdogs”. McNally concluded: “We have given an absolute message, not just to the region, not just to the country, but to the world.”
