Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- More than 80 dead in terror attack in Nice
- Sturgeon meets May in Edinburgh
- MEP Alyn Smith enters race for SNP deputy leader
- Salmond to PM: “Don’t mess with people of Scotland”
Front pages
In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle says Theresa May travels north today with a message to Scots: The Government I lead will always be on your side.
The National pictures new Chancellor Philip Hammond with the headline “You can’t stay in the UK and stay in Scotland”.
The Mail has a picture of the truck, its windscreen peppered with bullet holes, which ploughed into crowds in Nice.
The Evening Times has pictures of the Glasgow Mela, which returns to Kelvingrove Park on Sunday.
A Times investigation reports that the number of firsts awarded to students in Scotland has doubled in a decade, to 5715 last year, leading to fears the grade is being devalued.
The Sun’s world exclusive is that Mick Jagger is to be a father again at 72. His girlfriend, 29, is due in January.
The Telegraph hails “May’s state school cabinet” which has more state-educated ministers - 70% - than any previous Tory government.
The FT says Bank of England governor Mark Carney will work with Chancellor Philip Hammond on boosting confidence in Britain’s economy post Brexit vote.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley finds a certain someone taking the high road.
Five in five seconds: Theresa and the tartan connection
1. What’s the story? Theresa May made her first official visit as PM today when she travelled to Edinburgh to meet FM Nicola Sturgeon.
2. The tartan connection? We know from the launch of her leadership bid and other occasions that Mrs May is fond of tartan, favouring the Black Watch design in particular for trouser suits.
3. Fashion, shoes, bore, bore, snore; next you’ll be asking who she is wearing. Does her connection to Scotland go any deeper? She hopes you will think so. It is significant that her first visit was to Ms Sturgeon, and that the PM was the one doing the travelling. Mrs May has said keeping Scotland in the UK is a priority and in her first speech as PM she referred to the “precious precious bond” between the nations of the UK. Also, she has a family connection to Scotland - the Daily Mail found her great-grandfather, David Paterson, a domestic servant, came from Kennet, Clackmannanshire.
4. All fine and dandy then? Not quite. Mrs May is determined that “Brexit means Brexit”, but Scotland voted overwhelmingly against leaving Europe. While Ms Sturgeon has been pushing the idea of a deal with the EU which reflects this, new Chancellor Philip Hammond yesterday poured ice water on that notion saying: "However we voted, we are part of the United Kingdom and we have democratic decisions made across the United Kingdom. We will now implement the decision that the people of the United Kingdom collectively have made to leave the European Union.”
5. To which Ms Sturgeon responded? “The people of Scotland voted decisively to stay part of the European Union and their wishes must be respected. That includes respect from the UK Government, which is why Philip Hammond's comments are deeply disappointing - I very much hope the new Prime Minister will be more open to constructive discussion.” Find out how they got on here.
Afore Ye Go
Honoured to serve as Secretary of State for Scotland in @theresa_may's new Government @UKGovScotland pic.twitter.com/GHAeBTy21k
— David Mundell (@DavidMundellDCT) July 14, 2016
Jings, who saw THAT one coming?
“[Are they] actually arguing that the facility in Rosyth should be transferred south of the border?”
Commons leader (later Transport Secretary) Chris Grayling confuses Rosyth with Faslane. SNP MPs responded by shouting "East coast, west coast!” at him. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
So the new cabinet is a bit older (ave age: 50 to 52 yrs old). Less Oxbridge (50% down to 42%),much more state school educated (54% to 77%).
— Jack Evans (@jackcevans) July 14, 2016
Numbers crunched by Jack Evans of the BBC
“The appointment of the new Foreign Secretary must be the most remarkable since the emperor Caligula appointed his horse as a senator.”
Labour MP Kevin Brennan on Boris Johnson’s ascent to Cabinet. Above, German Chancellor Merkel and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in front of a bust of the Roman emperor. Miguel Villagran/Getty Images
This is how @angelaeagle reacted the moment she found out Boris Johnson was the new foreign secretary #reshufflehttps://t.co/1MPy3BsdHB
— Press Association (@PA) July 13, 2016
“The Boris news is not so much a cabinet appointment as a three-episode comic subplot in Downton Abbey.”
The peerless Marina Hyde. The Guardian
Wonderful symmetry of La Leadsom going to DEFRA and having to tell Farmers the games up as a result of Brexit #poeticjustice
— Nicholas Soames (@nsoamesmp) July 14, 2016
Tory MP Nicholas Soames is tickled by the thought of Leave campaigner Andrea Leadsom being given the job of Environment Secretary.
Wishing Philip May well in his new role - a constant feeling of being one step away from unwitting error but a huge privilege all the same
— Sarah Brown (@SarahBrownUK) July 14, 2016
“According to Forbes magazine, in the past year Taylor Swift has earned $170 million. When she heard that, Hillary Clinton said, ‘I didn’t know she gave speeches’.”
Conan O’Brien. Mark Davis/Getty Images
“If anyone deserved an Oscar, he should have been given it.”
Tory MP Sir David Amess was unimpressed by Tony Blair’s response to the Chilcot report.
“The Washington Times is now reporting that Indiana Gov Mike Pence has a 95% chance of being Donald Trump’s pick for vice president. I’m not saying [New Jersey Governor] Chris Christie’s upset, but he was last seen at the top of the Empire State Building swatting at planes.”
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Mark Wilson/Getty Images
"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated... Thrilled to be back in the best job in Government.”
England’s Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was sacked in cyberspace but not in reality. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
FM @NicolaSturgeon being quizzed by pupils from Ayr Grammar Primary School during her visit to Troon. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/Jjd1wXRGu7
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) July 14, 2016
Watch and learn Gordon Brewer and Jackie Bird, watch and learn...
"The Republican National Convention is next week. Quick programming note – the Late Show will be live every single night. So tune in for a mockery of our political system – and then watch the Late Show.”
Stephen Colbert. A new poll for CBS News/New York Times shows Clinton and Trump tied on 40%. Aaron P Bernstein/Getty Images
Thank you for reading. See you on Monday.
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