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Is there support for a referendum on asylum seekers?

Alex Dunlop,in Ipswichand
Alice Cunningham,Suffolk
BBC A large white banner with the words 'Barnham Says No' written on it in red lettering. It is pinned to a fence with barbed wire above. There are green trees behind the fence.BBC
The administration at Suffolk County Council has proposed holding a referendum over the government plan for RAF Barnham

Reform UK says it wants to give people a say on plans to house asylum seekers at an RAF base in Suffolk by holding a referendum. Opposition politicians have called the move a publicity stunt while accusing Reform of attempting to hijack next year's local elections. What do some people living in the county town, who could be taking part in this vote, actually think of the idea and do they want their voice heard?

Jamie Niblock/BBC A woman with short blonde hair smiles at the camera. She has black-framed glasses and is wearing a knitted orange jumper.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Julie Smith said she did not believe a referendum was the answer to the issue

The proposed referendum is due to be discussed at a Suffolk County Council full council meeting on Thursday.

RAF Barnham near Thetford could be converted into accommodation for 1,250 male asylum seekers for a minimum of 10 years under government plans.

Speaking in Ipswich, Julie Smith said Reform should not be asking people's opinion as part of a referendum.

"I think there's more important issues at the moment," she said.

"They would [say it is a big issue], because it's the only thing that keeps their supporters."

Jamie Niblock/BBC A woman smiles at the camera on a High Street. She has black hair that has been tied back and has gold hoop earrings. She is wearing a blue top with a black cardigan over the top. A pair of glasses are tucked into the neck of her top.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Ademike believed a referendum could lead to a positive outcome

Ademike, who did not wish to give her surname, said while she did not know much about the wider issue of asylum seekers, she believed the referendum was something worth exploring.

"People should be able to talk about what they want and in a reasonable way that will bring a lasting solution," she explained.

"Something that will make the [area] better. I don't think it's to stir anything negative."

Jamie Niblock/BBC A man wearing a flat cap and Hawaiian-themed shirt with flowers on it smiles at the camera. He has a grey beard. Jamie Niblock/BBC
Geoff Walton said the referendum would help the council understand people's feelings

Geoff Walton, 49, said he was "always up for a referendum".

"You've got to find out the facts behind the matter... you need to look at both sides of the story and go from there," he said.

"[The council] need to find out what the general populace think of all this.

"They'll find out what people's opinions are."

Jamie Niblock/BBC A woman with dark hair and a fringe smiles at the camera. She wears a multi-coloured floral top with a green bead necklace and glasses.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Loreto Mallon wanted to see the UK be more welcoming toward asylum seekers

Loreto Mallon said while she agreed with the concept of a referendum, this was for an "unfortunate topic".

"These are people who have come through war, through all sorts of awful things to get here," she explained.

"My gut reaction is that we should be welcoming.

"I don't know [if a referendum would be helpful] given the current climate.

Jamie Niblock/BBC A man with glasses and a black T-shirt smiles at the camera. People walk on a High Street in a town behind him.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Michael Considine did not want to support the referendum because he believed asylum seekers should not be in the UK

Michael Considine, 66, from Woolpit near Stowmarket, said he would not support a referendum because he believed asylum seekers should not be housed in the UK.

"Unfortunately I don't think [a referendum gets your voice heard].

"I think the council is wasting their time and money because I don't think this problem should exist in the state it has got to.

"It's got worse over the years."

Jamie Niblock/BBC A man whose light brown hair has been braided into small plaits smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black cap and white T-shirt. There are tattoos on his neck and he has a ginger beard. Jamie Niblock/BBC
Mason Godfrey wanted to see people given the vote on the issue

Mason Godfrey, 37, said while he did not vote, he believed people deserved a say on the issue.

"We're human so we should be allowed to have a vote on anything," he said.

"Everyone needs their say, everyone needs a voice because if you don't have a voice then you can't really do much."

Jamie Niblock/BBC A man with dark hair and a dark beard smiles at the camera. He wears a black suit with a pink shirt and navy blue tie.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Philip Faircloth-Mutton from Reform proposed the motion to explore the referendum

The deputy leader of the county council, Philip Faircloth-Mutton, said the referendum would "give residents their say on this most important of issues".

"My preference is that we should not have this problem at all," he said.

"The problem should not even be on British shores in the first place."

He added: "It's not a stunt at all. This is about listening to local people and giving them a chance to have their say."

The cost of a possible referendum is not yet known, but Reform wanted to hold it during next May's elections and therefore only one additional ballot paper would be needed at a "marginal cost", Faircloth-Mutton added.

Jamie Niblock/BBC A man stands outside a council building office and smiles at the camera. He has a thick grey beard. He wears glasses and a red suit jacket with a purple shirt underneath.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Andrew Stringer of the Green Party said the idea was a publicity stunt

Andrew Stringer, leader of the Green Party at the county council, described the news as "a bit of a political circus and a bit of a publicity stunt by Reform".

"What we need to have is that proper informed conversation, which you can have any time with any elected representative, including me," he said.

A vote that was "not legally binding", which would cost money, was "probably not the answer", the Green politician added.

The local Conservative and Labour parties echoed Stringer on Wednesday and said there were other issues Reform should be focused on.

Reform has control of the county council and so the motion for a referendum is likely to succeed, but the wording of any question put to the public would need to be determined.

As well as this, asylum is decided by the Home Office and therefore the referendum would not stop the government's plans.

A Home Office spokesperson said it recognised the "strength of local feeling" and it was "listening carefully to the concerns being raised".

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