Across
Drop male conservative in disgrace (7)
Summit briefly going into recess brings calm (7)
Hard financial promises introduced by political party ignoring unions initially (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
IOUS (financial promises) after (introduced by) LABOuR (political party) minus the ‘u’ (first letter of unions).
Fish egg's first to hatch (5)
Exercise machine that could get boring (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
cryptic hint / double definition.
Observer of speech by Taoiseach possibly clinging to power in Ireland (3-6)
Staff appreciate this band appearing in fundraiser for further education (6,7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
RING (band) contained by FE BENEFIT (fundraiser for further education).
Subordinate who fails to meet binding targets? (13)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
cryptic hint, one who ‘straps’ less than expected. This had crossed my mind as a possibility that fit the checkers, but have never heard of this word, so it went in with a shrug.
Key figure in report of Nessie apparently (9)
Abdicate, wanting son to be king? (5)
Several men who serve general purpose (5)
Harry essentially severed connections with English (9)
Leader of Parliament set about stopping corruption and dissent (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
first of Parliament + anagram of (about) SET, all containing (stopping) ROT (corruption).
Extremely stubborn Democrat snubbed public support (7)
Down
Prime minister getting a grip on adolescent disorder (6)
Gathered information about campaign from lawyer involved in Act (9)
Innate evil shown up in man behind bars (7)
According to Spooner, fool could take on another role (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
spoonerism of “loon might” (fool could).
First in series of affectations upset teller of tales (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
POSE A (first in series of poses, affectations) reversed.
Idiot put up flyer in Bay Area? (7)
Publicity campaign plugs gift (5)
Deplore what determines senior manager's salary (8)
Graduate admitting agitated state talked nonsense (9)
Home runs must be set up in subsequent fixtures? (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
IN (home) + R (runs) all reversed (set up) and contained by FUTURE (subsequent).
Period where one might find training difficult? (4,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
I think this cryptic hint refers to a weight-lifting move which requires more than the usual amount of effort. Thanks Ulaca (see comments); one might find it difficult to board a train at a full (or crowded) stop (or station).
Group of potential soldiers in detachment (7)
Standard approach exposed vulgar new arrival (7)
Take in group from failing establishment (6)
Pious platitudes on love in some poet's work (5)
University dons involved with part that's used in programme (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
U (university) contained by (dons) IN (involved with) and PT (part).
Type letters or click words in the clue