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, political correspondent Kate Devlin reports on a new poll for the paper showing support for independence at 49%. 

“Are you listening Westminster” is the headline in The National, reporting on Holyrood voting no to the triggering of Article 50.

Under the headline “Banish the bottles” the Mail launches a campaign to impose a 10 pence refundable charge on the plastic bottles littering streets, countryside and seas. More than 130,000 are dumped in Scotland every day, says the paper. 

The Guardian reports that Russian president Vladimir Putin has agreed a new law that cuts the punishment for domestic violence from two years to 15 days or a fine.  

“EU faces a new Greek debt crisis” declares the Telegraph, reporting on warnings from the IMF. 

The Times reports that teachers in two schools in England are wearing body cameras to film misbehaving pupils. 

The Herald:

In the Evening Times, Gerry Braiden gets a first look at plans for an M8 "roof garden". 

Camley’s cartoon

The Herald:

Camley finds as one door closes, another ... 

FFS: Five in five seconds

What’s the story? Deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle’s row with Alex Salmond could cost the Labour MP the Speaker’s job, according to a  former colleague of Mr Hoyle’s, Tom Harris. 

Is there a vacancy? No, but Tory MPs, never fans of the current Speaker, John Bercow, are continuing to put pressure on him after he said President Trump would not be welcome to speak in Westminster Hall. Some have suggested Mr Bercow consider his position. Read Kate Devlin’s story here.

Mere hot air? Usually, but the ante was upped yesterday when the Speaker in the Lords, Lord Fowler, pointedly refused to follow Mr Bercow's lead, saying: “I do not intend to argue the case for or against Mr Trump’s visit. That is not my role as Speaker.”

Is Mr Hoyle in with a chance? The MP for Chorley for 20 years has long been tipped to succeed Mr Bercow and he is popular with the Tories, even more so after the Salmond row. But his chances could be diminished if SNP MPs snub Mr Hoyle in favour of possible alternatives, such as Labour’s Chris Bryant.

The Herald:

Won’t SNP MPs now forgive and forget? Judging by this tweet from Mhairi Black, unlikely. 

Afore Ye Go

The Herald:

"We will never, ever turn our back on Europe and the world.”

Brexit Minister Michael Russell to MSPs yesterday before the vote on triggering Article 50. Talks resume in London today at the Joint Ministerial Committee. Jane Barlow/PA Wire

The Herald:

"This is going to cause a big headache for many Labour MPs and not just for Diane Abbott.”

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael on the Labour leadership imposing a three line whip again on tonight’s Article 50 vote. Ms Abbott missed last week’s vote due to a migraine; critics said she had “Brexit flu” caused by her constituency being heavily pro-Remain. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The Herald:

“A ruthlessly ambitious, narcissistic, media-savvy villain sporting make-up and coloured hair”.

Jonathan Cape director Michal Shavit describes a character in The Golden House, a forthcoming novel by Salman Rushdie, above, set in America after Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Ian Nicholson/PA Wire

The Herald:

“Thank you very much for that wonderful reception. I don't think I have received such a big hand since I walked down the colonnade at the White House.”

This joke about the size of the presidential hands was reportedly told by Theresa May at the Conservative Black and White Ball in London on Monday. Daily Telegraph. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

The Herald:

“White House spokeswoman and person who has not slept since the Carter administration.”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s description of Kellyanne Conway. Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images. On the subject of sleeping, Mr Trump told Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor that he works till midnight or 1am, and wakes at 5am to start work again. 

The president's controversial pick for education secretary was approved, but it was a squeak. Thanks to BuzzFeed's David Mack. 

The Herald:

"I do miss Larry a bit actually. He had this habit in the morning of being in my chair. He was so incredibly relaxed that you couldn't really move him. Although eventually you had to."

David Cameron, speaking at the Oldie of the Year award. Still in pets corner, the Trump travel ban gets personal for one dog owner:

 

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow. Twitter: @alisonmrowat