In an otherwise quiet news week, The Platforum publish our second quarterly research guide today so this will be hitting subscribers’ desks from Monday. The (plat)Form Guide 2 reveals total IFA platform assets of £101.6bn as at Q110, a jump of 10.7% over the quarter. All of the major platforms bar two reported greater asset growth by % for the quarter and we see no reason to amend our earlier projection that IFA platform assets will hit £320bn by the end of 2012.

This week's guest email is from AXA platform Head of Distribution, Andy Coleman, who contemplates politics, price and choice. This email represents his own views and not necessarily those of The Platforum.

Hot Off The Press - before we kick off, we can report that platform AUA hit £102 billion as at 31 March 2010, an increase of 10.7% from the December close. Our detailed research containing all the stats, IFA feedback and ratings - The (plat)Form Guide Issue 2 - will be published mid-May.

Today’s guest commentator is Alastair Conway, Sales and Marketing Director, Cofunds. The following views are his personal views and not necessarily those of The Platforum. Thanks to Alastair for his contribution.