Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Anger mounts over Brexit vote
- Teachers could be given weapons search powers
- Lobbying row over SNP’s Heathrow backing
- Child obesity levels refusing to budge
- Scotland 'best place to live' in UK
Front pages
In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle looks at increasing pressure on the government to give MPs a vote on a final deal to leave the EU.
The National and the Mail lead on claims RBS squeezed money from struggling small businesses.
The Times reports on leaked papers suggesting the Treasury could lose up to £66 billion a year in tax revenues if there is a hard Brexit.
The Telegraph leads on Sharon White, Ofcom chief executive, telling the BBC it could and must do better in having more older women on screen.
The FT and Guardian lead on Speaker Paul Ryan abandoning his support for Donald Trump. See Afore ye Go.
The Express leads on new figures showing one in ten Scottish youngsters starting school have a weight problem.
Camley’s Cartoon
Camley looks at the Heathrow question from the other side of the fence.
FFS: Five in five seconds
What’s the story? There will be a debate in Westminster Hall today over whether to build a new royal yacht Britannia.
What happened to the old one? It sailed into the sunset almost two decades ago when New Labour came to power and refused to write a cheque for a refurb or replacement. The Clyde-built yacht is now a tourist attraction at Ocean Terminal in Leith.
Why build a new one? According to the Tory MPs supporting the motion, Britannia did not just rule the waves when it came to royal honeymoons and diplomacy - it was instrumental in bringing in billions in trade, and in the brave new post-Brexit world the UK will need all the help it can get on that front. One of the leading backers of the plan, Michael Forsyth, told the Telegraph that Britannia had a unique role in projecting “British soft power and commercial interests”, adding: “It would also be a fitting tribute to our monarch for so many years of dedicated service in leading our nation and the Commonwealth.”
How much will it cost? There would not be much change from £100 million.
Is Number 10 on board? One foot at least. A Whitehall source told the Telegraph: “We are listening to the arguments and are always open to new ideas like this that will take Britain out of the EU and into the 21st century.” Opposition parties may be less ready to crack open the bubbly.
Afore Ye Go
“The speaker is going to spend the next month focused entirely on protecting our congressional majorities.”
And with that Paul Ryan, the Republican speaker of the House, cut Donald Trump adrift. Mark Wilson/Getty Images.
Paul Ryan should spend more time on balancing the budget, jobs and illegal immigration and not waste his time on fighting Republican nominee
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2016
The Republican nominee responds.
Live look-in at the Republican Party. pic.twitter.com/QZ4UFhEgPU
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) October 10, 2016
"Here at Virgin Trains we pride ourselves on continuously improving our customers' on-board experience and that includes their positive mental health.”
Virgin Trains launches a new service for passengers: videos of picturesque locations such as Lake Windermere, the Yorkshire Dales and Loch Lomond. In the last year, 17% of Virgin's east coast services and 13% of west coast trains failed to arrive at their destination within 10 minutes of their scheduled time. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
"If a situation arises that the Government at the end of the day is about to conclude a deal for the future of the United Kingdom which can't command parliamentary approval - or at least acquiescence - then it's perfectly obvious in those circumstances such a Government wouldn't survive. I would have thought there would have to be an election.”
Former attorney general Dominic Grieve joins the list of those calling for MPs to have a vote on membership of the European single market. Carl Court/Getty Images
This chap's podcast seems to have gone eerily quiet since last March, almost as if he's not answering the questions we want to ask him: pic.twitter.com/GQM7jnOZBG
— Douglas Fraser (@BBCDouglasF) October 10, 2016
The BBC's Douglas Fraser files a missing blog report.
"By inviting a broad range of acts, not all of whom are known for being overtly political, to play in support of this under the banner of 'People Powered', we are saying: Speak Out! Get Involved! Fight For What You Believe In! Make Your Voice Heard! Everyone can make a difference!”
Organisers announce the first “Concert for Corbyn”, headlined by Paul Weller, above, to be held in Brighton in December. An ICM poll for the Guardian puts the Tories 17 points ahead of Labour. Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Weller supported Labour once. Now he’s switched to Corbyn. https://t.co/8plQLoB0Pj
— Tom Harris (@MrTCHarris) October 10, 2016
Former Labour MP Tom Harris probably won't be buying a ticket for the Weller concert.
Police warn of people dressing as a ‘killer clown’ to scare children and the needy. pic.twitter.com/lteMVR7Dp9
— HaveIGotNewsForYou (@haveigotnews) October 10, 2016
"Trump is a pig.”
The not so subtle message displayed on the big screen as former Pink Floyd star Roger Waters performed Another Brick in the Wall (Part II) at the Desert Trip music festival in California. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
"Strictly voters at home show their racist leanings again. Two shows. Two black dancers eliminated.”
A Twitter user complains about the elimination of radio DJ Melvin Odoom last week, and EastEnders’ Tameka Empson this week. The BBC said: “Judges judge the dancing and the dancing alone, not anything else.” Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire
Carly Simon gives her blessing to a new version of You’re So Vain, specially refashioned for a certain presidential candidate.
Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat
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