Bangladesh, July 22 -- The symbolic declaration of independence by the tiny English village of Piddington may have no constitutional standing, but dismissing it as a publicity stunt would be a mistake. It is, instead, a vivid illustration of the widening gulf between Britain's political leadership and the communities expected to shoulder the consequences of national immigration policy.

When the UK Home Office announced plans to convert a disused military storage facility outside Piddington into accommodation for more than 1,000 asylum seekers-primarily single adult men-it did more than ignite a local controversy. It exposed a growing sense among many rural communities that decisions affecting their future are being made in Westminster w...