It doesn't need to seem serious...the Science Minister is following more of a risk mitigation strategy - e.g. the vast population of the public will most likely feel OK about the, "Attenbourough," name, whereas a small fringe will leverage, "Boaty McBoatface," to attack the cause of science and say that it's a waste of money. The small fringe's attack has a risk of loss, whereas the larger science fanbase has no risk of loss, only a risk of not as much gain.