While it’s not everyone’s idea of a fun few days away, political party conferences can generate millions of pounds for the towns and cities hosting them.

Not to mention the resulting publicity of having the nation’s press descend to report on proceedings always keen to incorporate a little local colour.

Which begs the question as to whether it’s time for Kent to get in on the modern day action?

Traditionally, seaside towns have presented themselves as popular options regardless of political hue.

Think Brighton, Blackpool, Bournemouth; Broadstairs, merely by dint of starting with a ‘B’, may be missing a trick.

And it’s not just the political heavyweights which pull in the crowds. I’m sure the British Spoons Association (if such a thing exists) can probably pull in a few hundred industry experts happy to discuss the pros and cons of its particular sector of the cutlery market. While, of course, staying in a nearby hotel for a few nights and pumping their expense accounts into the local economy.

Shuffle down the alphabet and there is, of course, Margate. A town currently grappling with just what to do with the Winter Gardens which is rapidly heading towards two years of being mothballed.

Rather than recreating its reliance on live comedy and music acts (now increasingly covered by nearby Dreamland), perhaps a reimagined future could see it wrestle its way onto the conference circuit?

It’s got heritage in this sector, after all. In 1953, the Conservatives hosted their conference in the town - with then-PM Winston Churchill delivering the main address. The same year, by the way, Labour were in the same town (and same venue - the Winter Gardens) for its annual knees up.

Except, of course, here comes the stumbling block.

The Brightons, Bournemouths and Blackpools of this world have realised that major money does not come from day-trippers. To really extract full value, they need their visitors to stay overnight. Thus, they have a plethora of hotels to suit varying budgets.

Kent, it is far to say, is rather lagging behind and has been for years. Margate, for all its historical legacy as a popular seaside tourist destination, has precious little overnight accommodation; the bulk of its offerings back in the 1950s and 60s hey-day long since converted into HMOs or other housing.

Airbnbs - despite their explosion in popularity - cannot fill the gap.

There is, no doubt, a sense that transport links are so fast to London now, everyone can be back home by night-time. But conferences require a longer stay.

And while there are swanky places for, say, a future Prime Minister to overnight in, he or she may not fancy fine-tuning their rabble-rousing conference speech in a Premier Inn. Even the British Spoons Association’s head honcho may turn their nose up at that. Don’t get me wrong, I like a Premier Inn as much as the next man, but if you’re PM or a spoon supremo you may want a little something extra.

So perhaps the focus needs to be on the county boosting its hotel capacity as something of a priority. A long-term investment to deliver (hopefully) long-term financial gains.