Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Poll shows all to play for in EU fight
- Five-year-old pupils facing 50-minute tests
- BBC Scotland pulls plug on Scotland 2016
- Sturgeon raises euro possibility post-Brexit
06.00 BBC Today headlines
Final day in EU campaign … Dyson calls Remain victory "act of national self-harm" … Turkey angry at Cameron claim it could take till 3000 until country joins … Events held across world to mark Jo Cox MP’s birthday … BMA say staff should be entitled to sign themselves off sick for two weeks … Northern Ireland through to knockout stage of Euro 2016.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Scotland's First Ministers back Remain ... Wembley clash ... Thousand plus business leaders back Remain in Times letter ... Melissa Reid returning from Peru ... N Korea carries out two missile tests ... Job losses at RBS ... Nestle in Scots wind farm deal.
Front pages
The Herald reports from last night’s BBC debate at Wembley as a poll shows a 45 to 44 lead for Remain.
The National looks at the shake-up at BBC Scotland, which a union leader says is a “first step” towards a Scottish Six.
The Evening Times highlights conditions at flats in the Calton. Some residents are too scared to go home.
The Mail carries a “direct message” from David Cameron to Scots voters - a vote for Leave will destroy the Union. David Cameron is also in the FT, saying that staying in will lead to a “surge” in investment into the UK. The Record has five Scots party leaders urging readers to Remain, while the Times has a pro-Remain letter from 1285 business leaders.
The Sun reports on the release of convicted drugs mule Melissa Reid from jail in Peru.
Camley’s Cartoon
It’s all up in the air for Camley in the EU debate.
Ten in ten seconds: the Wembley wiff-waff
1. Six thousand in the audience, millions more at home tuned into Croatia v Spain on the other side instead, it was big, it was brash, and occasionally it was brutal.
2. Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson came out swinging. “Boris Johnson when asked 'will there be job losses’ said 'there might or there might not. That is not good enough. How many jobs, Boris? How many jobs?”
3. Johnson hit back: “They began by telling us they would have a positive and patriotic case and they’re back to project fear within minutes.”
4. Haggis popped its head up as Johnson used it as an example of EU red tape, saying Scotland could not export it to the US.
5. Sadiq Khan to Boris Johnson: “You might start off saying how wonderful immigration is. But your campaign hasn’t been project fear, it’s been project hate as far as immigration is concerned.”
6. “If we vote Leave and take back control I believe that this Thursday can be our country's independence day,” said Boris Johnson. Oddly, the movie of the same name is out this Friday.
Ruth Davidson was at 44-1 for next Tory leader on Betfair 90 minutes ago. 26-1 now.
— Robert Hutton (@RobDotHutton) June 21, 2016
7. Gisela Stuart impressed again, asking: “Ask yourself this. If we were not in the EU today, would you join?”
8. As a mother/grandmother/lawyer … Fecundity and status were big themes, prompting Davidson to say: “There are actually mums and dads and grans and grandads on this side as well.
9. “Too often we hear about red tape,” said Frances O’Grady, TUC leader, “but what they mean is the vital rights of workers.”
Dimbleby's microphone, last worn by H from Steps in 1999. pic.twitter.com/gKezXOOmAw
— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 21, 2016
10. “Xenophobic and frankly bordering on racist.”
SNP MSP Humza Yousaf, on the Remain pundit team, lays into Ukip’s Breaking Point poster.
Afore Ye Go
"These are decisions and discussions that, yes, we will have if we are in the scenario of a Brexit”.
FM Nicola Sturgeon says she is prepared to discuss the possibility of using the euro in an independent Scotland if the UK leaves the European Union. Previously the FM had said she would prefer an independent Scotland to stick with the pound. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
"The intention is to keep the flag up until after the New York clown has returned home from his visit.”
David Milne, who lives close to Trump golf resort in the Menie estate, Aberdeenshire, is flying a Mexican flag outside his home in protest over the billionaire’s visit to Turnberry on Friday.
"There is no substance to this whatsoever.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives on reports that leader Ruth Davidson would “do a Murdo” and start a new party in Scotland if Boris Johnson takes over from David Cameron as PM. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
"I did bet on Leave - I got the biggest price, 4/1.”
Ukip’s Nigel Farage, unveiling his party’s latest poster yesterday. He denied toning down his campaign after criticism of his “Breaking Point” poster.
"Cries and lies, smears and fears, rabid xenophobia. A noxious brew of anti-foreigner, anti-immigrant sentiment staining our communities.”
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis’s description of Ukip’s campaign. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
"It can be argued it doesn't apply to his own residence but I would have thought use of Downing Street facilities is a breach of the spirit of purdah. He would not do that during a general election.”
Tory MP Bernard Jenkin did not take kindly to David Cameron delivering a pro-Remain statement in Downing Street. Mr Cameron said voters should think about “the hopes and dreams of your children and grandchildren”. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
"We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children, we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone."
David Beckham backs Remain. His wife Victoria told off the Leave campaign for “putting a spin” on quotes of hers from two decades ago about keeping the pound. Above, right: Posh and Becks' lookalikes. John Philips/Getty Images.
“I don't want Britain to become an angry and mean-spirited country. I think there's a danger that, if Leave wins, it'll be an endorsement of the idea that it's OK to blame all our problems on foreigners."
Fellow footballer Rio Ferdinand kicks off too. Facebook.
Whatever the risks of Brexit or Bremain #EUref has done wonders for gazebo sales in SW1 pic.twitter.com/upEdgdehcf
— David Cornock (@davidcornock) June 21, 2016
"The people I listen to are not people like George Soros, who speculate on market movements - that's how he makes his money."
Boris Johnson rejects the financier's claim that a Brexit vote on Thursday would lead to a fall in the value of sterling by at least 15%, ushering in a “Black Friday”. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
£16,058,762 for pro-Leave, £12,125,031 for Remain
The latest fundraising scores on the doors, as revealed yesterday by the Electoral Commission. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
The Queen presses “send” on her tablet after tweeting her thanks for “the many digital messages of goodwill” she has received for her 90th birthday. A report in the Telegraph said HRH had taken to asking dinner guests "Give me three good reasons why Britain should be part of Europe."
“Harley-Davidson announced that they plan to introduce quieter electric powered motorcycles within the next five years. Get ready to see motorcycle gangs brawling over who gets to plug in at the outlet outside a biker bar first.”
The Late Late Show with James Corden. Mario Tama/Getty Images
The purr-fect #EUref debate with #CatsAgainstBrexit & #CatsForBrexit kept a safe distance apart in the #bbcdp studio https://t.co/YjWFXG7XAR
— DailySunday Politics (@daily_politics) June 21, 2016
The EU campaign finally jumps the shark with an item on cats and Europe.
Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow
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