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

Front pages

The Herald:

Exclusive: In The Herald, health correspondent Helen Puttick reports that more than 200 training jobs for GPs and hospital specialists were left empty, despite a rise in applications from junior doctors. 

The National says there is money to be made from seaweed cultivation - but Scottish scientists say the industry must be sustainable. 

The Mail accuses Keith Vaz MP of “shamelessly clinging to power” after allegations in the Sunday Mirror that he had paid for the services of male escorts.

The Herald: Exclusive: In the Evening Times Hannah Rodger says a Glasgow dentist who re-implanted a patient’s tooth after it had been put in the bin has been given free  rein to work again. 

The Herald, Mail, Express, Times, Record and Telegraph report FM Nicola Sturgeon’s hopes that speaking about her miscarriage will “challenge some of the assumptions and judgments that are still made about women, especially in politics, who don’t have children”.

The FT says Theresa May’s doubts over a points-based immigration system are likely to inflame Brexit supporters. 

FFS: Five in five seconds

1. What’s the story? Today is Brexit day in the Commons. 

2. Brexit day? Wasn’t that June 23 when the referendum took place? Today is the first day of the new parliamentary term at Westminster, when MPs and peers are meant to start pinning down what the PM’s phrase, “Brexit means Brexit”, actually means.

3. Meaning? Two key events. First, Brexit Minister David Davis will make a statement to the Commons setting out details of how Brexit will be carried out. The betting of Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith, as divulged to Pienaar's Politics on BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, is that talks will be triggered ”if not before Christmas, fairly soon afterwards”. Second, there will be a debate on demands for a second EU referendum following a petition that attracted more than four million signatures. SNP MP Ian Blackford, a member of the Petitions Committee, will open proceedings on the latter in Westminster Hall. 

4. Chances of a second referendum following? None. The debate has no power to trigger a second referendum. 

5. What are we likely to hear from David Davis? Upbeat mood music. “Brexit isn’t about making the best of a bad job," he says. "It is about seizing the huge and exciting opportunities that will flow from a new place for Britain in the world. There will be new freedoms, new opportunities, new horizons for this great country.” Of more interest to Brexiteers, however, will be Mrs May’s comments at the G20 in China that a points-based immigration system, a key demand of the Leave camp, might not work. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"I will be informing the committee on Tuesday of my intention to stand aside from chairing the sessions of the committee with immediate effect.”

Labour MP Keith Vaz on his chairmanship of the Commons Home Affairs Committee. The Sunday Mirror yesterday alleged the married father of two paid for the services of male escorts. Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

The Herald:

“Everyone has been really nice and supportive so in that sense it’s not like the Commons at all.”

Former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls after his Strictly debut on Saturday. The judging has not yet begun. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The former Labour MP replies to a Twitter well-wisher who asked: "Who's doing your constituency work while you're ******* around on the dance floor you clown???"

The Herald:

"Would love love LOVE it!"

Ruth Davidson's reply to Daily Record editor Murray Foote asking if she fancies a twirl on Strictly. Maybe not with the partner above, though.

The Herald:

"We were never friends, but we respected each other. That’s not the case with what passes for the Labour front bench today … I find it hard to say it, but we miss Ed Balls.”

Former Chancellor George Osborne grows dewy-eyed reviewing his old opponent’s memoir, Speaking Out, and the current state of the Labour front bench. Mail on Sunday. Clive Mason/Getty Images

The Herald:

"Of course she got fed up with it, but I don't believe that as prime minister she would ever have campaigned to take Britain out of Europe, or had a referendum to allow that to happen.”

Lord Charles Powell, Margaret Thatcher’s closest foreign policy adviser. Observer. Michael Stephens/PA Wire

The Herald:

“He's the one person that really puts the fear of God, and I don't mean to blaspheme for any moment, into some of the other politicians.”

Ukip leadership hopeful Diane James says he hopes to hold talks with Nigel Farage on playing a role in the party’s future. Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow turns his hand to economic analysis.

The Herald:

"Jeremy Corbyn is not a corrupt man and I am not a corrupt woman. I stand by the report. There was nothing remotely transactional about this.”

Former head of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti says she was offered a peerage by the Labour leader after her anti-Semitism inquiry into the Labour Party was completed. BBC 1's Andrew Marr show. Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Wire

“It’s our country, our airport. OK?”

A clash of media cultures as a Chinese official tries to tell a White House press aide the US press corps cannot stand under the wing of Air Force One after President Obama arrives in China for the G20 summit. Roberta Rampton, Reuters

Yet more press woes in China, this time for Sky News's Faisal Islam.

The Herald:

“I met the head of ITV News for what I thought was a breakfast meeting to discuss the possibility that I might apply for the role of political editor, and was presented with an envelope containing details of a six-figure salary offer.”

The BBC’s Nick Robinson recalls his switch to ITV news in 2002, which might lead some to wonder how much he is on now. Sunday Telegraph. Above, Lib Dem Lord Redesdale attempts to pass the Today programme presenter at the parliamentary pancake race to raise money for the charity Rehab UK.

The Herald: imgres.jpg

“Why, Helen? All I ever did was love you - was that so very wrong?”

Rob Titchener cries in the witness box. BBC Radio 4 The Archers

Thanks for reading - see you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat