Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- May rebuffs Sturgeon over EU bid
- State of emergency declared in Turkey
- Corbyn launches leadership re-election campaign
- First Minister brands frigates delay “disgraceful betrayal”
06.00 BBC Today headlines
President Erdogan declares three-month state of emergency … Corbyn in re-election bid: 183,000 sign up to vote in last 48 hours … Public health officials urge all to take vitamin D supplements during winter months … British nuclear submarine docks in Gibraltar after collision … Republican convention boos Cruz … Wilde prison opens to public.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Turkey ... Commons debate on how devolved administrations will be involved in Brexit talks ... Theresa May to Paris ... Edinburgh trams inquiry has cost £3.7 million so far ... Sub collision ... Corbyn to tackle "five ills" including inequality and discrimination ... £300,000 sporting equality fund announced.
Front pages
In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle reports on Theresa May’s PMQs debut, in which she called Scotland’s bid to remain in the EU “impractical”.
The National’s headline is “Missing” as it asks where the order for Type 26 frigates, which Better Together said would be Clyde-built, has gone.
The Mail reports on the death of a Scots soldier on a training march.
Exclusive: Caroline Wilson in the Evening Times has figures showing nurses raised the alarm about staff shortages in Glasgow’s hospitals 962 times last year.
The Times and the Telegraph have the Bank of England’s assessment that firms are not cutting back on investment or recruitment post-Brexit vote. “Britain booms after EU vote” declares the Express.
The FT reports that a British foreign exchange trader employed by HSBC has been arrested in New York on charges of conspiracy and wire fraud. A warrant was issued for another UK citizen.
The Guardian says its study of Labour supporters in more than 100 constituencies shows support for Jeremy Corbyn cooling.
Camley’s cartoon
Camley on news that files relating to Mark Thatcher’s business activities will remain sealed for decades. Read Daniel Sanderson's story here.
Ten in ten seconds: Not on Cruz control
1. What’s the story? Ted Cruz was booed when he spoke at the Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio, last night.
2. Why? He failed to endorse the candidate, telling people instead to "stand and speak and vote your conscience” come election day in November.
3. This was Cruz, who fell out spectacularly with Trump in the primaries? Whose bright idea was it to invite him? It is traditional for former rivals to get behind the candidate come convention time in a show of unity before the campaign proper begins.
4. So what happened here? Cruz was welcomed on stage, spoke for a bit, the crowd became restless when he did not cut to the endorsement, then they started chanting “We want Trump.” At the same time, Cruz’s wife Heidi began to be heckled by Trump supporters and had to be escorted from the floor by security.
Ted Cruz didn't endorse Trump at #RNCinCLE and said Americans should “vote your conscience.” https://t.co/1BNta8mUVfhttps://t.co/werXXHqTeR
— New York Post (@nypost) July 21, 2016
5. Did the crowd get their wish on Trump? Yes. He suddenly appeared in the arena while Cruz was still speaking, and the cameras swooped to him giving a thumbs up sign. Later, he tweeted: “Wow, Ted Cruz got booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge! I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway. No big deal!”
.@realDonaldTrump completely "steals the room" as @SenTedCruz speaks at #RNCinCLE https://t.co/M7av3i2fMZ https://t.co/XPzC3ek52J
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 21, 2016
6. Other reaction? Trump ally Chris Christie was less relaxed. "I think it was awful. And quite frankly, I think it was something selfish. He signed a pledge. It's his job to keep his word." One delegate told Jim Naughtie, reporting for BBC Today: "He basically kicked us in the you-know-where tonight."
7. How embarrassing for Trump? Coming on top of the Melania plagiarism row of Monday, not great, even for a candidate and a campaign that believes all publicity is good publicity. It puts even more pressure on him for tonight.
8. Tonight? His big, set-piece speech, showing at prime time (bedtime our time), which will be the first chance many Americans will have had to hear him speak at length.
9. How has Hillary Clinton responded to the stushie? With delight. Echoing Cruz’s words, she tweeted what will surely become a catchphrase from now on: “Vote your conscience.”
10. And Cruz? Keeping his cool. It is thought he will have one more go at the presidency in 2020. If so, last night’s speech could be seen as an inspired move, or the moment his career ended.
Afore Ye Go
"Remind him of anybody?”
Theresa May, leaning on the dispatch box and deepening her voice, teases Jeremy Corbyn and delights Tory MPs with her nod to Margaret Thatcher. Mrs May finished the day by travelling to Berlin, above, for talks with Chancellor Merkel.
Theresa May gives a sigh of relief after her first #PMQs 😅 https://t.co/nQcY5fE3UD
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 20, 2016
Lest you think her first PMQs was a walk in the park.
"This measure is in no way against democracy, the law and freedoms.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan goes on TV to announce a three-month state of emergency.
"Whatever one's politics, one cannot help but be inspired by last week's image of the female Prime Minister of the UK meeting the female First Minister of Scotland. It sends a message to girls everywhere that they can achieve anything they want, and nothing should be off limits to them.”
SNP MP Stuart Blair Donaldson to Theresa May. The new PM agreed.
One thing I have discovered: the "kindler, gentler" Corbyn Labour Party contains more trolls than a Norse myth
— Robert Harris (@Robert___Harris) July 20, 2016
Author Robert Harris has been among the leaders of the "stop Corbyn" membership drive.
"I don't know whether I want to talk about my future ambitions at this point.”
Former Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti, who led an inquiry into anti-Semitism within Labour, refuses to say whether she has been offered a peerage by the party. J-TV. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
This is what happens when you call your colleagues "f***ing useless" John #kinderpolitics pic.twitter.com/Ijiv3cRvAU
— Tom Blenkinsop (@TomBlenkinsop) July 20, 2016
Not much of a turn out among Labour MPs for shadow chancellor John McDonnell's big Commons moment. Mr McDonnell was overheard last week being less than complimentary towards critics of Jeremy Corybn.
40-29
The Tory lead over Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour has increased according to a new YouGov poll taken after Theresa May became PM. Rob Stothard/Getty Images
"No, I haven't actually, I haven't needed it.”
Owen Smith unwisely replies to a query from Piers Morgan on whether the Labour leadership contender had ever taken Viagra, one of the products developed by his former employer Pfizer. Good Morning Britain. Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
“Donald Trump’s campaign manager told reporters that ‘Once Donald Trump is accepted by the American people as someone who can be president, the race will be over with’. By which I assume he meant the human race.”
Late Night with Seth Myers. John Moore/Getty Images
“This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant.”
Trump campaign aide Meredith McIver coughs to supplying Mrs Trump, above, with a speech that echoed Michelle Obama’s eight years ago. McIver offered her resignation; the Trumps did not accept it. USA Today. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Larry very hacked I have told No10 but seem to have fallen on death ears, he needs a vet hope this helps pic.twitter.com/ZZoSgORD05
— Political Pictures (@PoliticalPics) July 20, 2016
Concern over Larry the Downing Street cat after he turns up limping and collarless.
Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow.
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