Political Dummies

You know, the problem with politics is that any idiot with sufficient support can become an MP. Isn't it about time there was a minimum qualification to be an MP - an exam to show they understand the workings of government, public services and politics in general?

In virtually every other walk of life one has to show either suitable experience or a qualification in order to do a job - more often than not, especially if a newbie, a degree in the subject of your chosen career. Not, however, in politics. Is that, perhaps, why we lurch from crisis to crisis? Should idealism (and more often than not, dogma) trounce expertise? Have we had enough of amateurs as some politicians are fond of saying?

Granted some have relevant life experience in running businesses, but they are few and far between, and many go into politics purely to peddle their influence and patronage in the hope of a directorship. They have a good line in patter and are charismatic enough to promise the earth and attract a sheep-like following, but that alone doesn't cut the mustard.