The Guardian - Cryptic crossword No 26,958 - Aug 8 2016

Tired of your current crossword puzzle? Try solving our daily crossword puzzles. GO TO DAILY PUZZLES!
Clues Answers
15 seconds to get simple cocktail dress on? ALLBLACKS
A figure of authority in plain clothes MUFTI
Assuming power, remark­ably ardent, can head Westminster team DEANANDCHAPTER
Athenian turmoil is May's opportunity — new leaders wanted TIMON
Betray first sign of ruthlessness, a heavyweight RATON
Blue and put in lead, ultimately ADULT
Bush, say (American chap) — and now Cameron? ELDERSTATESMAN
Critical of lateness, I blow up ESSENTIAL
Failing opportunity, turn up to get university position VICECHANCELLOR
High-status woman elected, taking fizzy drink INFANTA
Impressive eventual successor to May AUGUST
In window frame place prominent slogan SPLASH
Marvellous exact opposite of May, perhaps — a bright star SUPERNOVA
May's former position as the country's leader ENGLANDCAPTAIN
Clues Answers
May's not hard: a saint? TERESA
May's predecessor, the well-known revolutionary meeting resistance THATCHER
Nag raved endlessly: nothing wrong in that ROSINANTE
On fast track up, Osborne finally failed the country GEORGIA
One of the stars in the state, begin to work RIGEL
Prevented plot arising: fought, while heading off DEBARRED
Put in new position in unexpected delight RAPTURE
Scribble leads to error in flyer — that's dangerous DOODLEBUG
Serious start on galvanising party GRAVE
Southern Region has a name for plunging in dagger? No way PATAGONIA
Veto our side employing a bitch, regularly vulgar BANAUSIC
What May must do with naval leadership rival? GOVERN
What's wrong with a sort of 'Right Hon' for May? HAWTHORN
Working with a parliament, making cuts ONADIET