Ignorance in office: British Fisheries Minister failed in the Fish Quiz

Haddock, flounder, whiting - this species does not recognize any country bumpkin from the start. But a fisheries minister should be familiar with the name. Robert Benyon, the minister in Britain, revealed in a TV show embarrassing gaps. London - A concession right at the beginning: politicians can policy expertise is not necessarily a prerequisite - cynics would say even more of a rarity.

The well-meaning public, but admit even to ministers that they must become familiar with the matter. But at some point must be a minimum of half-knowledge be available. Robert Benyon, Britain's Fisheries Minister proves just spectacular how embarrassing it can be when it messes with the simplest questions.

Because then you do in the important pages of "Independent" to "Daily Mail" bigger headlines than with the very best interviews to overfishing. Benyon was a guest in a show of British television station Channel 4, a series of fish with a celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. The chef had, as he admitted later, a "little jokes" prepared - a fish quiz.

How well did the minister of fisheries species that British fishermen in the nets go? It started innocently, we talked about fish as a valuable food, and the minister known yet: "I eat loves to fish." Oh yeah? What then? Chef Fearnley-Whittingstall and the TV crew had him lined up for the twelve most important species, the usual suspects from the annual negotiations on catch quotas and fishing: cod, haddock, plaice, halibut and their ilk.

The minister stared. "Oh my God," he groaned as he realized the trap. "That's so mean. I am an absolute country bumpkin. I come from an area that is so far away from the sea, how to do a general way." Enough of the excuses. Ran the fish. Benyon identified the cod. Anyway. The monkfish as well, but is really an ugly beast that is easily recognized.

With the help of the quiz master, he still managed the pollock - the main supplier of fish sticks. And then it was over. For halibut, whiting and no reaction. Turbot? Never heard of. Plaice? Ditto. Three out of twelve species could name the minister. At school he had this idea for a smooth conceded six.

Perhaps he finds some comfort in the fact that some colleagues have in similar situations also goofed badly. The British "Independent" it counts in its issue of Tuesday to relish: Alan Johnson, has been in the shadow cabinet by Labour for the finance charge, in the live interview asked how high the employer's contribution to British social security is.

Skillfully, he replied: "I would raise it at any rate by a percentage." The moderator for mercilessly pierced: "And then he would be what ...?" The financial expert had to fit. David Lammy, until voted out by Labour as education minister in office ended up with a celebrity on television quiz on the last seat.

On the question of who Henry VIII succeeded to the Trhone, Lemmy replied: "Henry VII" Could happen again. Richard Caborn, Shadow Minister for Sport at Labour failed, in the sports quiz is a radio station horrible. He could not name the coach of the Krickett national team, yet the coach of the rugby selection, he knew the most jockeys do not ride in the Ascott, he had no idea who are currently Europe's best golfers.

His excuse: "I'm really a disaster this morning." How true. But not much worse than Premier David Cameron, who proved loudly "Independent" in matters relating to British history are big gaps. When he took office after Barack Obama made his appearance in Washington, he told the astonished world public, such as Great Britain had proved in the Second World War as a junior partner of the United States.

Junior Partner? When the U.S. declared war on Germany, the British fought for two years against Hitler. Cameron later apologized for the knowledge gap. At least that one has to admit the said British politicians: If they enter into the grease cup, they at least say "sorry".

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