Hello and welcome to The Midge, the e-bulletin that takes a bite out of politics in Scotland and elsewhere.
Today
- Jeremy Corbyn faces no confidence motion
- Osborne will not stand for Tory leader
- Sturgeon seeks cross party support for EU negotiations
- David Cameron to Brussels for emergency summit
06.00 BBC Today headlines
Corbyn says he will not step down … Osborne rules himself out as candidate … Cameron to Brussels … Sturgeon in appeal to Holyrood … England manager quits after Iceland defeat … National Audit Office says high speed rail link may have to be delayed to cut costs … Hacking accused faces extradition hearing … VW set to settle over diesel emissions.
07.00 BBC Good Morning Scotland headlines
Cameron to face anger in Brussels ... FM to Holyrood ... Corbyn/no confidence motion ... rUK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt calls for second EU referendum ... Asian stock markets rally, sterling strengthens against dollar ... Prince Charles Ayr to Leeds rail journey cost £33k.
Front pages
In The Herald, UK political editor Michael Settle reports that FM Nicola Sturgeon is involved in talks with Gibraltar about a plan to keep parts of the UK in the EU.
The National pictures Kezia Dugdale as an astronaut with the headline “One small step for Scottish Labour”. The party is to explore options for a federal UK, says the paper.
Stewart Paterson in the Evening Times digs into the EU referendum voting figures, finding some parts of the city were stronger in favour of Remain than others. The vote in Glasgow NE was 59% for In, for example, compared to 78% in Glasgow North.
The FT says sterling and bank stocks have been “hammered” and some of the world’s biggest hedge funds are now betting against the pound in expectation of a sharp dip in the economy.
The Mail declares Labour to be in “utter chaos” as dozens of frontbenchers walk out on Jeremy Corbyn, while the Guardian reports that Mr Corbyn told his MPs he intends to lead them into the next general election.
The Express says Boris Johnson has offered Theresa May a “top job” if he becomes PM. A poll in the Times puts Ms May ahead of Johnson among Tory voters by 31% to 24%.
In the Telegraph, Jeremy Hunt, a possible contender for the Tory leadership, says a new PM should negotiate a deal with Europe then put it to the UK electorate in another referendum.
The Sun says the Tsunami rollercoaster at M&Ds in Motherwell crashed hours after it had reopened following a fault
Camley’s Cartoon
Camley reckons the post-Brexit boom is a bust.
Five in five seconds: the Tory leadership contest
1. A new pop-up shop opens for business tomorrow, closing Thursday. Selling? A new Tory leader and British Prime Minister. The party’s 1922 Committee, the voice of backbenchers, has its regular weekly meeting tomorrow at which nominations will formally open. Anyone can put themselves forward. Nominations close on Thursday.
2. Who is not running? George Osborne for one. He writes in the Times today: “It isn’t in my nature to do things by half-measure, and I fought the referendum campaign with everything I’ve got. I believed in this cause and fought hard for it. So it is clear that while I completely accept the result, I am not the person to provide the unity my party needs at this time.”
3. How many candidates can stand? If more than two come forward, MPs will begin voting on July 4 to whittle the field down to two. The chosen two then appeal to Tory party members at large in hustings around the country.
4. How big is that constituency? Tiny. Nick Clegg, former Deputy PM, calculated yesterday it amounts to just 0.003% of the British electorate, or 150,000 eligible voters. The winner is decided by postal ballot, one member, one vote. The last time a Tory leadership contest took place in 2005, David Cameron received 134,446 votes to 64,398 for David Davis.
5. When will the winner be known? Could be as early as mid-August, but definitely by September 2.
Afore Ye Go
"Indeed, Boris. Project Farce has now begun - and you are largely responsible.”
FM Nicola Sturgeon in response to Boris Johnson’s assertion that “Project Fear is over”.
“After the emotive and divisive campaign he headed, Johnson’s team were briefing that he would be running for the Tory leadership as a ‘unity candidate’ – Unity Mitford?”
Marina Hyde, the Guardian. Jack Taylor/Getty Images
“I BEG YOU ONE THING GREAT BRITAIN … Give me Boris f****** Johnson as our Prime Minister and I'm done. I'm out. My faith in us will be broken forever.”
Chef Jamie Oliver. Instagram. Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images
“When I put my cross against Leave I felt a surge as though for the first time in my life my vote did count. I had power. Four days later I don’t feel quite the same. I have buyer’s remorse. A sense of be careful what you wish for.”
Former Sun editor Kelvin Mackenzie. Evening Standard
Love the new hashtag for those who regret voting Leave...#Bridiot
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) June 27, 2016
The next cover of the New Yorker. #brexit pic.twitter.com/BVjSjhWs6k
— Michael Li (@mcpli) June 24, 2016
Tuesday's International NY Times:
— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) June 27, 2016
Questions for U.K.: When? How? Really?#Tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #EUref pic.twitter.com/1TT4QiRdZe
"Our country is divided and the country will thank neither the benches in front of me, nor those behind, for indulging in internal... manoeuvring at this time.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has lost dozens of his frontbenchers, including Angela Eagle, above. His words were greeted with laughter and jeers in the Commons.
“The writing on the wall is eight metres high. If he can’t see it he ought to go to Specsavers.”
Labour's Chris Bryant on the revolt engulfing Labour leader Corbyn.
"I'd advise her to keep her mobile phone on, she might be in the shadow cabinet by the end of the day.”
David Cameron’s wisecrack as new Labour MP for Tooting, Rosena Allin-Khan, swore the oath of allegiance. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Everyone called Jeremy gets sacked eventually
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 26, 2016
And the former Top Gear presenter should know ...
"The Club Committee believes that a clear and decisive vote in favour of admitting women as members is required to enable us to begin the task of restoring the reputation of the Club that has been damaged by the earlier ballot outcome.”
Muirfield captain Henry Fairweather announces plans to hold another vote on female membership. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
£40 billion
The amount sheared off the value of British companies yesterday, despite Chancellor George Osborne’s attempts to calm the markets.
"Now let's go to Rick who's watching European bank stocks." pic.twitter.com/hugbCxyqHM
— Eddy Elfenbein (@EddyElfenbein) June 27, 2016
“The last thing that Scotland needs now is a divisive referendum.”
David Cameron’s spokeswoman on the prospects for indyref2. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
In the mood for a cheery, pound-themed metaphor? Meet Jack, a nine-year-old Jack Russell who plunged 150 feet off a cliff in south Devon and survived to tell the tale of rabbit chasing. Jack, who is microchipped, is now safe home again.
Now we've asserted our status as a mighty nation on our own, if we lose to Iceland you'd need a heart of stone not to laugh.
— Mark Steel (@mrmarksteel) June 27, 2016
As tweeted after Rooney put England 1-0 up.
Thank you for reading. See you tomorrow
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