Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere. 

Today

  • Johnson/May launch Tory leadership bids
  • Labour’s Angela Eagle to challenge Jeremy Corbyn
  • Sturgeon hopeful after Brussels trip
  • Battle of the Somme national commemorations

06.00 BBC Today headlines

Boris Johnson and Theresa May launch Tory leadership bids … Angela Eagle to challenge Jeremy Corbyn … Singapore bank halts loans to buy property in London … Government to announce climate change targets till 2032 … Oscars opens door to 683 new members. 

07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines

Holyrood's Europe Committee meets ... FM to update MSPs on EU talks in last FMQs before recess ... Tory leadership ... Eagle challenge ... Obama says long term concerns about Brexit consequences ... Oil summit in Aberdeen ... Nursing pioneer Mary Seacole statue unveiled in London ... Vigils to mark Somme centenary ... Idris Elba invited to join Oscars panel. 

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, Daniel Sanderson and Michael Settle report on FM Nicola Sturgeon’s trip to Brussels, where she says she found “open doors, open ears and open minds” about Scotland and the EU. 

The National describes the talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker as “historic”. 

The Mail says the FM’s diplomatic mission is in “tatters” after six countries, including Spain, France and Germany, said Scotland could not negotiate apart from the UK, and the Telegraph reckons she was given the cold shoulder. 

The picture of Ms Strugeon and Mr Juncker makes the front page of the FT, with its report saying the UK as a whole faced a rebuff as it tried to begin negotiations on a new trade deal. 

The Guardian highlights the leaked email from Mrs Gove to Mr Gove. See Afore Ye Go. 

The Record says advisers are telling the FM to go for indyref2  within two years - before the end of Brexit talks. 

The Herald: The Evening Times reports on the knifing of a 76-year-old man in Glasgow’s East End. 

Theresa May begins her campaign to head the Tory party with an article in the Times promising to lead a country that “works not for a privileged few but for everyone, regardless of who they are and regardless of where they’re from”. A Times poll of party members gives her a 17-point lead over Boris Johnson. 

Camley’s Cartoon

The Herald:

Camley reflects on Nicola Sturgeon’s mission to Brussels. 

Five in five seconds: Angela Eagle, England’s Sturgeon?

1. The former Shadow Business Secretary and Shadow Leader of the Commons is expected to announce today that she will challenge Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership of Labour. 

3. England’s Sturgeon? If Eagle wins, ditto Theresa May in the Tory leadership race, there will be women at the head of the UK’s three major parties, not to mention Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale leading for the Conservatives and Labour in Scotland. Scotland’s FM appeared side by side with Eagle for Remain in the recent ITV debate (below). 

The Herald:

3. Bio? Age 55, born Bridlington, Yorkshire, one of twins (sister is fellow MP Maria Eagle; first twins to sit in parliament, Angela is 15 minutes older), dad a print worker, mother a seamstress. Champion chess player. Comprehensive pupil turned Oxford graduate (Politics, Philosophy and Economics). Union researcher, press officer, parliamentary liaison officer, MP for Wallasey since 1992, former Pensions Minister under Gordon Brown, gay (first female MP to come out), in civil partnership. Once told to “calm down dear” by David Cameron. 

4. In favour? No Blairite Jemima come lately, she joined Labour at 17 (a year older than Sturgeon was when she joined SNP). Background in economics means she has been able to hold her own on the subject, solid ministerial experience. Impressed Labour MPs when she has stood in for leader at PMQs, facing George Osborne. Popular, respected.

5. Against? She stood in the deputy leadership election last year and lost to Tom Watson in the second round, winning just under 18% of the vote. Bookies odds: Ladbrokes is giving 9/4, Dan Jarvis is 9/1, and Hilary Benn 10/1. William Hill is giving 100/1 on sister Maria. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

“You MUST have SPECIFIC assurances from Boris OTHERWISE you cannot guarantee your support. The details can be worked out later on, but without that you have no leverage.”

An email from Sarah Vine to her husband, Michael Gove, as revealed by Sky News

Top notch sniping here from novelist Robert Harris...

The Herald:

"I have reluctantly reached the conclusion that his position is untenable.”

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband on his successor, Jeremy Corbyn. Jack Taylor/Getty Images

The Herald:

“For heaven’s sake man, go.”

David Cameron joins in the Corbyn must go chorus at PMQs. He also quoted a Smiths’ song at Mr Corbyn: "As someone about to enter the political graveyard perhaps I could misquote my favourite band and say let's meet at the cemetery gates.” Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Jeremy Corbyn is led away from press questions...

The Herald:

"If the United Kingdom leaves, so does Scotland. Scotland has no competences to negotiate with the EU. The Spanish government rejects any negotiation with anyone other than the United Kingdom.”

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy as Nicola Sturgeon arrived in Brussels to press Scotland’s case. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The Herald:

"The negotiations will be conducted with the United Kingdom, not with a part of the United Kingdom.”

French president Francois Hollande agrees. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The Herald:

"I will listen carefully to what the First Minister will tell me, but we don't have the intention - neither Donald [Tusk, European Council president] nor myself - to interfere in the British process. That is not our duty and not our job.”

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, above left. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

STV's Colin Mackay at the pro-EU demo at Holyrood

The Herald:

47% Yes to independence, 41% No, 12% undecided.

A Survation poll for the Daily Mail, carried out after the Brexit vote. 

The Herald:

"I do give and have given thought to the matter and I have also benefited from expert advice. These matters are not broached lightly.”

Speaker John Bercow, with Jeremy Corbyn above, tells Pete Wishart MP that despite Labour’s disarray the SNP does not legally constitute the official opposition.  

The Herald:

“Critics are calling those in Britain who voted to pull out of the European Union ‘racist’ and ‘anti-immigrant’. After hearing this, Donald Trump said, ‘Wow, I’m running for leader of the wrong country’.”

Conan O’Brien. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

The Herald:

“When I see friends getting married to their same-sex partners, that’s a great thing. A society where people are showing total commitment to each other and choosing that path, I respect that.”

Tory leadership contender Stephen Crabb yesterday. Previously he voted against gay marriage. BuzzFeed News. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

The Herald:

Silvio Borisconi

Sir Alan Duncan tries out a nickname for Boris Johnson which the former London mayor is sure not to like. Pier Marco Tacci/Getty Images. 

Huge excitement in the Lords as George Foulkes refuses to sit down...

Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow