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

Today

  • Police funding row
  • Trump accepts nomination, promising end to crime
  • MPs slate Sports Direct working conditions
  • Ineos launches fight against green lobby over fracking
  • Nicola Sturgeon attends British-Irish council summit

Front pages

The Herald:

In The Herald, Victoria Wheldon reports on police claims that cash constraints are forcing officers to take extraordinary measures to cut costs.  

The National highlights Alyn Smith MEP’s bid for the SNP deputy leadership. 

The Mail reports on the attempt to abduct an RAF serviceman in Norfolk and asks: “Was this another Lee Rigby attack?”

The Herald: Glasgow’s subway will be closed for an extra two weeks, reports the Evening Times. 

The Times says several names on David Cameron’s resignation honours list were blocked due to concerns about their suitability. 

The Telegraph says millions of holidaymakers are opting to staycation this year instead of going abroad. Fear of terrorism and the weak pound are the chief reasons. 

The Guardian leads on France’s president Francois Hollande telling Theresa May there can be no free trade without free movement. 

The FT carries Jeremy Corbyn’s reselection warning to Labour MPs as he launched his re-election campaign.  

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley makes a virtue of reality as France’s president tells new PM May to get a wriggle on and start the exit process. 

Ten in ten seconds: The Donald’s big moment

1. What’s the story? Donald Trump last night gave his first speech as the official Republican candidate for president. 

2. Conciliatory, unifying, statesman-like? None of that. This was, Republican strategist Taylor Griffin told the World Service, “the Trumpiest Trump speech ever”. 

3. Meaning? It had all the themes of his stump speeches during the primaries - promises to crack down on immigration, build the wall, make America great again, and so on. He went heavier on law and order, promising that crime and violence would “end, very soon”, and he put himself up as the only man for the job of president. "Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it.” He also promised an end to nation building, pledging “Americanism, not globalism”. 

4. Anything new? He spoke of the Orlando shootings and said it was heartening to hear a Republican convention show its support for the LGBT community. He also reached out to the religious right, saying they had been very supportive of him - “And I’m not sure I deserve it,” he added - and promised to end the rule which restricts religious groups from becoming involving directly in politics.

5. A smooth performance? Shouty and very long. At one hour, 15 minutes, USA Today, The Herald’s sister paper, reckoned it was the longest of any acceptance speeches in the last four decades. And, as usual, he was heckled by a protester who was huckled out by security (below). There was a touch of Hollywood, though. 

6. How? He came on stage to the music from Air Force One, the action movie in which Harrison Ford, playing the US president, single-handedly defeats terrorists who hijack the president’s plane. It is Trump's favourite film. 

7. Attacks on Hillary? Plenty. Besides calling her “Crooked Hillary”, he said she would leave behind "death, destruction, terrorism and weakness”.

8. Reaction from Clinton camp? John Podesta, campaign manager, tweeted: “America is better than this.” The Sanders camp asked: “Is this guy running for president or dictator?”

9. Good week or bad week for Trump? He thinks a great week, tweeting: “Other than a small group of people who have suffered massive and embarrassing losses, the party is VERY united. Great love in the arena!” Probably a tie, with those on both sides of the Trump divide having their opinions confirmed. 

10. Where now? Philadelphia, Monday, for the Democrat bash. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"The sooner, the better”.

France’s president Francois Hollande on the UK’s triggering of Article 50, starting the formal process of exit from the EU, as Theresa May arrived for a talks over a dinner of lobster, veal and vanilla mousse. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Trouble among the hacks in Paris, says the Daily Mail's Europe correspondent.

Someone (step forward SNP MP Patrick Grady) did not have their porridge that morning...

The Herald:

“The extent and depth of political bias in the BBC is a matter of opinion, but this is a disgrace by any standard, however low.”

Denis Thatcher complains to the BBC in 1988 about a satirical piece on Today which imagined if Mrs Thatcher had legalised hard drugs. As revealed in papers from the National Archives released yesterday under the 20-year rule. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.

The Herald:

"Consultation most certainly, but veto I'm afraid not.”

Attorney General Jeremy Wright tells the Commons that “all of the UK” will leave the EU and Holyrood does not have a veto over Brexit. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The Herald:

"I was on my holidays when the Chilcot report was published, so this is my best chance to get to read at least some of it. It's either that or wait for the film.”

Ian Rankin will be among the comedians and authors who will stage a relay-reading of the 2.6 million-word report at an event during the Fringe. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The Herald:

"We owe it to our people to go after them. We will have a legal framework for it.”

Mehmet Simsek, deputy PM of Turkey, said the regime would trace those involved in the failed coup. The government yesterday announced it was suspending the European convention on human rights. Above, a policeman scans a political rally in May. Lefteris Pitarakis/AP Photo

From Tory communications director Eddie Barnes

The Herald:

From 4/11 to 1/8

William Hill cuts the odds on a Corbyn victory after 183,000 people paid £25 each to join Labour in the previous 48 hours. Mr Corbyn launched his re-election bid yesterday, hinting that every MP would undergo reselection before the next election. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The Herald: Pete Wishart's committee backs Swinney tax powers option but Treasury insists its alternative is logical and fair

"Have a happy civil war.”

The SNP’s Pete Wishart wishes Labour MPs well as Westminster breaks for its summer recess. It returns on September 5.

The Herald:

“I hope that they have now established a modus vivendi.”

New Commons Leader David Lidington tries to reassure MPs after reports of Larry the Downing Street cat, above, scrapping with his Foreign Office counterpart, Palmerston. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg has the scoop 

The Herald:

“No one has lost their jobs [over the Melania speech incident]. If only there was someone in the Trump campaign who enjoyed firing people …”

Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Above, the former Apprentice star turned candidate with VP pick Mike Pence. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Andra Neil, over in Cleveland for the convention, grows restless during Ivanka Trump's warm up speech for dad. When someone tweets back, calling him "a Eurotrash host" who should go home, he gives them a guid Scots response...

Thank you for reading. See you on Monday.