I confess I still do not understand 13a. Also I have never heard of John Locke for 7d. Both seem much too hard for a Quiptic.

One small point – the second half of 15a should read ‘MED’ rather than ‘MEW’

Thank you for the blog.

As noted, 13 is much too hard for this. I too had to come here for an explanation.

Not sure that a left winger is necessarily a radical, for example “an old school left winger” would not be so called. Also, is the right wing devoid of radicals? I think not.

In similar vein, I wouldn’t have thought a stripper was a lap-dancer or vica versa. Obviously there is nothing to stop a stripper from lap-dancing, nor a lap-dancer from stripping, but I thought the two were quite distinct “art” forms. Perhaps someone with direct experience could enlighten us?

I found this far more difficult than today’s Rufus.

I “rufused” to enter “Regatta” for 13a!!

I did enjoy this Beale puzzle, with clues like THREAT and IMPATIENT being excellent examples of what’s required for a Quiptic. A few more difficult ones, but that’s what crossing letters are for.

If Araucaria had offered the ‘London mug’ clue, then folk would no doubt have been drooling, but I think a question mark might have helped, or maybe you’re right in thinking that it’s a step too far for an entry-level crossword.

Any road up, good stuff from Beale in my opinion.

12a is OK. There is no unindicated article, it’s simply I + LLA + TEASE.

Agree about 13a, really couldn’t see the connection between answer and clue which is why I came here! Thanks for the explanation.

Agree that London Mug is an indirection too far when working forward.

Thanks for the blog & the crossword