Is the Piddington row about racism or maleness?
Summary
James O'Brien examines the Piddington referendum, where residents voted to leave the UK in protest against housing 1,256 asylum seekers nearby. He debates whether the backlash is driven by racism or legitimate concerns about masculinity and enforced idleness, noting that similar tensions exist with local military barracks. The episode features calls from residents, including a mixed-heritage mother who fears the village’s shifting attitudes, and discusses how political rhetoric has successfully framed refugees as threats.
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