By Simon Hughes - The Tourism Alliance recently invited partners to respond to a snap survey to help assist the process of developing their position on the EU referendum. They recognise the need to develop a view point that best represents the views of their members as we enter what promises to be one of the most important political debates for a generation. Briton's generally still seem to be split on the issue, although some recent polls suggest that more would vote to stay in than leave. The caveat here of course is what a wonderful job the very same pollsters did during the recent general election.

By Simon Hughes - One of the features of the recent election campaign and the subsequent scramble around Europe that the Prime Minister is now embarking on has been the use of the phrase 'red lines'. Everyone seems to have one these days. I'm pretty certain that several high profile politicians that lost out as a result of the election are now sitting at home asking their red lines to explain what went wrong. That must be a funny feeling. One minute you're on the stump, proudly declaiming which red line you will not cross. The next minute you're just cross, all alone with your red line and trying to avoid watching the Queen open Parliament on the TV.

By Simon Hughes - I had the pleasure of attending a reception for the outgoing Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell shortly before the last General Election in 2010. Sir Robert Armstrong, one of his eminent predecessors, was in particularly effusive form as he praised him for the work undertaken to prepare for the new government.

By Simon Hughes - If you have a moment and want to be inspired by some great work do please click on this link: http://www.eventphotographyawards.com/2015-finalists/. It takes you to the Event Photography Awards 2015 finalists. The winners were announced at the Barbican last night and many of the conversations that followed the awards ceremony revolved around the need for the events industry to truly embrace the fantastic potential that first class content from events brings to all of us in the age of smartphones and 24/7 social media feeds. Yet on my way to the event I passed a sign that read "The smartphone generation doesn't look up to see where they are going."

By Simon Hughes - I don't know about you but, if the debate about the television debates is anything to go by, I think we're in for a fantastic time in the run up to the general election.