Hello and welcome to The Midge, your first bite of the day's politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Tax powers by Valentine’s Day: massacre or sweetheart deal?
- MSPs to question BBC chief in January over spending
- Scots trial halted over veil
- US Fed meets - first interest rate rise for decade on cards
- Forth Road Bridge to reopen January 4
06.00 BBC Radio Four Today headlines
First British astronaut heads to space station …. Surge in domestic violence cases in England and Wales … MPs doubt Cameron can secure binding EU deal in time … Bill Cosby launches legal action against seven women … Butterfly species in decline.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Peake to blast off … Alcohol soaking up ambulance time … EU to propose border and coastguard agency … MSPs say lobbying rules do not go far enough … Highland museum collection of national significance … Star Wars premiere takes place in LA.
The front pages
The meeting between FM Nicola Sturgeon and PM David Cameron in Downing Street makes the front page of The Herald. Ms Sturgeon is optimistic a deal can be done by February 14 on new tax powers, reports Michael Settle.
The Times and the Telegraph are more downbeat, with the Times saying the imposition of a deadline by Ms Sturgeon will be portrayed in some quarters as “a sign that the Nationalists do not want the responsibility of significant tax raising powers offered by the Scotland Bill and are looking for a way out”.
Also on The Herald’s front page, and the splash in the Sun, is a report of a trial being halted at the sheriff court in Dunfermline after a witness refused to give evidence unless she was allowed to wear a full face veil.
The Evening Times reports on plans to make a roundabout at Silverburn shopping centre safer.
The National says the National Front in Scotland is to launch a recruitment campaign outside schools in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee.
Amazon has withdrawn hoverboards from sale over explosion fears, reports the Scottish Daily Mail.
Voters are now evenly split on whether to leave the EU, says a poll for the Daily Telegraph. Support for Brexit has gone up four points to 50% since October.
A Daily Record investigation finds courts ordered the seizure of £37 million from criminals last year - but only received £4 million.
The Guardian continues its reporting on Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley’s firm, Sports Direct. It quotes Crispin Odey, a key investor, as saying Mr Ashley was “difficult to house train”.
The FT has been looking at the finances of “Isis Inc.” and reckons the terror army is earning as much from taxes and extortion as oil.
Camley's cartoon
Camley takes an ab-fab look at tax reform
Need to know
Syria returns to front and centre today. Yesterday, President Obama (above) gave a rare address from the Pentagon, declaring that more than 9000 strikes had been carried out against Isil, gains had been made, but there was a long road ahead. Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry is in Moscow to shore up the US-Russia alliance on Syria, and Philip Hammond will report to the Commons today on the progress of British air strikes.
Talk of the steamie: the comment sections
In the Guardian, Suzanne Moore reacts to a ruling saying specific pain killers are the same as ordinary ones. The real part of the body being targeted is the wallet, she reckons.
Siobhan Synnot in the Mail wonders if the SNP is considering extending its “Stronger for Scotland” slogan with the caveat “unless we’re talking about bridges”.
In the Telegraph, Dan Hodges argues Labour MPs are relying on ordinary party members to do the dirty work of ousting Jeremy Corbyn.
The Diary
- Holyrood: Scottish Government debate on redesigning primary care for Scotland’s communities. Members’ business: Liz Smith on Perth bid to become UK city of culture 2021.
- Commons: Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond gives update on fight against IS; climate change debate.
- Commons: Treasury Committee takes evidence from regulatory authorities on HBOS.
- Commons: Foreign Affairs Committee takes evidence from former European Commissioner Lady Ashton on costs and benefits of EU membership.
- London: Electoral Commission publishes update on donations.
Afore ye go
£180,000
Anyone with this in the piggy bank could soon be the owner of an art deco emerald and diamond necklace worn by Mrs Thatcher. The item, donor unspecified, is part of a collection being auctioned at Christie’s today.
"It would look like a tour of Last Of The Summer Wine”.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell on why he did not join Jeremy Corbyn on his travels during the Labour leadership election. Holyrood magazine.
"What is happening now has done more damage, and is doing more damage, to London that almost anything since the Blitz.”
Lord Lawson on London Mayor Boris Johnson’s cycle friendly policies
Speaking of bicycles, Jeremy Corbyn unveiled his Christmas card.
“Love is everything. Life is for living. Take big bites.”
Congratulations to novelist India Knight, author of the words above, and Eric Joyce, the ex-Scottish Labour MP (above) once involved in a brawl in a Commons Bar, on their impending nuptials. It is Mr Joyce’s third marriage.
"Everything indicates that low oil prices are likely to dominate next year. And it is possible that at some periods [the oil price] will be $30 per barrel."
Anton Siluanov, Russian finance official, via CNN Money
"A short time ago, in a living room not far away… John Humphreys just watched Star Wars for the first time."
BBC Radio 4 Today, Twitter
Six hours
The time it will take British astronaut Tim Peake (above) to reach the International Space Station after he has left Earth and gone into orbit.
“I am fortunate to have been blessed with great genes.”
Donald Trump hails his Scots heritage following publication of his medical history showing the 69-year-old in fine fettle.
Thank you for reading The Midge: your first bite of the day’s politics in Scotland and elsewhere. See you tomorrow.
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