The symbolic referendum in Piddington shows us something important: when communities feel significant decisions are being made about their area without them, people will find ways to make themselves heard.

Listen to this article

And unless government shows that it is listening to communities from the very beginning, we are likely to see this frustration repeated in communities across the country.

People have every right to ask questions, raise concerns and expect to have a meaningful voice in decisions that will affect where they live, whether it’s Piddington in Oxfordshire or Fallowfield in Manchester, which saw anti-migrant protests last year. Engagement cannot simply mean informing or consulting communities once the direction of travel has already been decided. It has to start early, be transparent and demonstrate that what communities say can genuinely shape what happens........

© LBC