STOPPING the Council Homes sell-off; ensuring public money goes towards those in housing need rather than to second homeowners; and making sure water companies invest our money on cleaning up their act rather than filling their boots. These were the topics for debate on last week's BBC Southwest Politics Show, where I was joined by MP Anna Gelderd (Labour) and Cllr Connor Donnithorne (Conservative).

On the amount of taxpayers’ money going to second homeowners, it seems the problem is getting worse. Though Council tax has doubled for second homes, many are still flipping their homes to Business rates, applying for small business rate relief (SBRR) and paying nothing. The loss of income compensated for by the rest of us. They are even entitled to backdate their claim, costing the Council tens of millions. And this at a time when the Council is facing up to its own financial black hole.

I issued a big thank you to migrant workers this week. It followed a recent visit to the impressive Riviera Produce Ltd, where I met director David Simmons and one of its great team of workers, in that case mostly from Tajikistan; harvesting courgettes in a field in west Cornwall.

Our NHS, care services and many agricultural businesses would collapse without migrants, coming here to supplement and support our great workforce.

Unseen and unnoticed by many, these people toil away in our fields, visiting the most vulnerable, working in care homes, hospitals, on our fishing vessels and in so many places; perhaps they're just taken for granted. But not by me; nor by many others who appreciate their work and the contribution they make to our society and economy.

Riviera is always looking for staff and has a page on its website answering questions from prospective job applicants - whether locals or from overseas.

The bulk of seasonal migrant workers at Riviera come from fascinating countries like Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakstan. Places most of us will never visit, nor learn much about. Perhaps we should invite them to our community events to tell us about their homes, cultures and lives... ?

However, I was deeply disappointed that my positive and celebratory comment was seized upon by a small but vociferous minority determined to use it to trigger their politics of vilification and hate. It was perhaps naive of me to believe it is possible these days to say anything positive about this, especially in today's toxic social media environment.

My positive comments weren’t relevant to those who wish to advance the kind of politics which results in black-shirted, balaclava-clad mobs threatening RNLI volunteers. I have addressed those issues elsewhere, and it seems, need to do so again to combat the misinformation being promoted. That's for another day. My above comment is a celebration of matters I hope good people can share, and that we can ignore the naysayers.