Labour MP refuses to back Piddington-inspired referendum over migrant camp on doorstep

The sleepy Suffolk village, which is home to some 600 residents, is now gunning to hold a symbolic vote to leave the United Kingdom in a Piddington-style vote.

Reform UK politicians, including the deputy leader of the Suffolk council, Philip Faircloth-Mutton, have also called for a county-wide advisory referendum on housing asylum seekers, which would be held alongside next year's local elections.

But Terry Jermy, the MP for South West Norfolk, fought back against the request for neighbouring constituents to have their voices heard through the proposed ballot.

"I don't know the cost of (the county-wide referendum), but we're probably talking millions of pounds," he told Britain's News Channel.

He added: "I absolutely would not support that because I don't think it's a good use of taxpayers' funds.

"I'm not sure what a poll of the whole of Suffolk would achieve. We're desperate for funding for public services, social care, health services. I don't think most people would want to see their taxes funding a non-binding poll."

While only serving a symbolic purpose, locals are hoping the referendum will allow authorities to hear their concerns and pile pressure on ministers to take action.

The Labour MP rejected the call for a county-wide referendum

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Reform UK-controlled Suffolk council is due to discuss the issue at tomorrow's full authority meeting.

Still, a county-wide referendum would fail to poll the people of Thetford, a town less than three miles away from the proposed site, which has already suffered the fallout of the Government's plans to house migrants in disused barracks rather than taxpayer-funded hotels.

Mr Jermy appeared to back a more "proportionate" local referendum in Barnham, saying: "I think it's when and where and how.

"Barnham's a relatively small village. The cost of holding a referendum would therefore be quite small. If it's symbolic, then I absolutely respect people's rights in Barnham to do that.

"It gives them an opportunity to make their voices heard for a relatively sensible amount of money. A county-wide poll would achieve nothing and cost a fortune."

John Bauer, the parish councillor driving the revolt, told the People's Channel there was nothing they would rule out when it came to fighting back against the Home Office plans.

However, he explained to GB News locals were also facing opposition to the poll of just 600 villagers, explaining district councillors appeared "not so keen" to pursue the plans.

Mr Bauer said: "I have to say, I'm not really sure why. The village isn't being listened to. You're talking about overwhelming the numbers of the village with the population of the camp.

"It would be just so disproportionate."

Terry Jermy fought back against the request for neighbouring constituents to have their voices heard

TERRY JERMY

One of the protests over the proposed migrant camp drew attention as hundreds descended on Barnham, with a horse-drawn hearse carrying a coffin to show the "death of democracy".

Barnham officials were told that Essex did not witness a jump in crime after asylum seekers were housed in RAF Wethersfield, a former military airfield.

Last month, GB News analysis of Essex Police's public crime data has unearthed around 170 reported offences mapped to the former RAF airfield between June 2023 and July this year.

Crimes reported at the site include violence, gang feuds, sex crimes, arson and drug offences.

The most common category of crime reported were violence and sexual offences, with 97 incidents reported.