Across: 8 Reversing tax (TOLL) on (juxtaposition) arts degree (BA) = BALLOT (vote) Thematic: X marks the spot (see also student fees), 9 No (O) + food (RATIONS) = ORATIONS (addresses) Thematic: anyone seen the telly recently?, 10 Spread (MARG) + everything (ALl) minus last letter (virtually) containing (over) hot (IN) = MARGINAL (seat) Thematic: for younger subscribers, this is happens a lot when there is a close election, 11/12 Party (SOCIAL) + alternate letters (from time to time) of ChAiRmEn = SOCIAL CARE (support) Thematic: the one policy area all parties have ‘a plan’ for, but are afraid to touch., 13 Anagram (is wrong) of ANY LEFTISM = MANIFESTLY (clearly) Thematic: loosely linked to all those manifesto promises that are clearly bollocks, 15 Cryptic/whimsical definition. Thematic: used at every rally, 19 DD if read “under (slightly less than) + class (perfection)” and underclass (the poor of a country) Thematic: the citizens all politicians claim to care about but…, 21 A long way (DEEP) reversed = PEED (went) Thematic: how 19a feel (usu. with off or upon), 22 DD Thematic: who decides elections (see also Mail), 24 I would (ID) have dinner (EAT) + (with) ten (IO) + 1st letter (at first) of (N)ovelists =  IDEATION (the generation of new concepts) Thematic: well, it would be lovely, wouldn’t it?, 25 Anagram (busy) of middle letter (essentially) of cand(I)date + ETON CoLlegE minus (wanting) leg and minus (-) (o)ver = ELECTION (choice), 26 1st letters (starts to) of (I)nstall (N)ew (T)echnology after (following) all but the last letter (a great deal)  of information DATa = DATING (going out). 

Down: 1 Opposite of gunmen (RA) containing wine (CAVA) (ie wine containing gunmen)

  + (N)ew = CARAVAN (group of travellers) Thematic: the Green’s version of the Boris Battlebus (joke), 2 Anagram (all over the place) of A MOGUL PEES = PLAGUESOME (problematic) Thematic: Politicians at election time, 3 Shock (STUN) + Yorkshire way of saying the soldiers (T’MEN) = STUNTMEN (risk takers), 4 Anagram (surprisingly) of PAINTING LOTS SOL(d) minus the last letter (before concluding)= POLLING STATIONS (where to indicate preferences) Thematic: it’s where democracy allegedly happens (yet 75% of our votes are wasted under FPTP), 5 Bags (MASS) + provided (IF) = MASSIF (part of range), 6 Zambian minus (not content) middle letters (ZN) = ZINC in the periodic table, 7 Middle letters (discovered) of aUNt + mostly (MAiNLY) minus i (forgetting one) = UNMANLY (not becoming a bloke) Thematic: gender wars (see also JK Rowling), 14 Anagram (after writing about) of ODd POET TAkES minus (out) both grand (k) and (d)ay = SEED POTATO (something that will grow), 16 Broadcasts (SENDS) containing (welcoming) a distinctive feature  (USP) = SUSPENDS Thematic: I bet it’s the fate of a number of Tory candidates(when Rishi discovers his spine), 17 Guts (ENTrAILS) minus (ignoring) (r)ule = ENTAILS (requires), 18 Little animal (RUNT) enclosing green (ECO) = RECOUNT (tell) Thematic: 50 seats? We demand one!, 20 Change (CASH) + at home (IN) + CASH IN (take advantage) Thematic: Option for ministers & friends (see VIP lane), 23 Hidden (taking part) in bayonET CHarge = ETCH (cut).