ENSURING our country has strong defence capability in an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world is vitally important. Indeed, almost as important as ensuring our government upholds the values of integrity, ethical diplomacy, accountability, respect for international law, and to know when and when not to deploy that strength.

It was therefore an honour to revisit the excellent National Drone Hub (NDH) at Predannack (or "Pradnack" as we natives of the Lizard call it) following my first tour of their site last year.

Developing technologies behind uncrewed aircraft (drones) is now central to future UK defence, as displayed in Ukraine. So, the NDH is the cutting edge of where the UK's future defence capability needs to advance.

The NDH explains it "provides a world class, independent facility where industry, academia, government and regulators collaborate, innovate and accelerate drone and associated technologies". I met chiefs, Dan and Helen Stembridge and team alongside some industry and RNAS Culdrose representatives who are making full use of the facilities. Dan explained: "The NDH provides a tailored environment, with access to vast swathes of multi terrain segregated airspace, world leading expertise and bespoke facilities. NDH is well positioned to support the government's focus on defence investment as an engine for growth, backing British jobs, innovation and prosperity.”

They undertake essential defence development work. It's important the UK leads and is not left behind in the race to keep ahead of those who wish to do us harm. And we, as policy makers, must ensure our capabilities are deployed for good, ethical foreign policy purposes.

Predannack maybe unrecognised nationally, but it played a remarkable and pivotal role during World War II. It now plays a critically important role in developing our future defence.

The airfield provided a vital base for Spitfire Squadrons during WWII, including protecting shipping from Luftwaffe attacks, including ahead of the D-Day landings. It's appropriate it should now provide cutting-edge support for uncrewed defence air systems.

Like many others I was shocked to learn about the attack on the Cornwall Islamic Centre. Concerns about it were raised at my public meeting in Penzance last weekend. Police are treating it as racially aggravated criminal damage.

This doesn't represent who we are. Whoever did it doesn't represent our communities here in Cornwall.

Whether it's balaclava-clad blackshirt, far-right activists threatening to be bussed into Cornwall to protest against our wonderful RNLI volunteers, or these bigots attacking one of our faith communities, it's important that good people stand together in solidarity against such threats.

I remember when this project was being planned. Our Islamic brothers and sisters rightly received strong backing from community organisations I was involved with, and included the powerful support of the then Bishop of Truro, Methodist and Catholic Church leaders and other prominent community leaders.