Cryptic crossword No 2,339

I was tidying up some unfinished and unpublished grids and found this among them. I compiled this just over three years ago now and it was my submission for Boatman's masterclass later that year, with a few (not enough) edits made after the class. It's now quite apparant to me that I was trying to show off how clever I thought I was rather than considering solver experience and clearly I was far more libertarian (or perhaps more accurately bad) than Ximenean back then. Saying that there (cont)

Hi Blah, this rang a bell, particularly 18d! Did you edit this further when you rediscovered it? I can't remember what I thought at the time, but I rather enjoyed this today, and think you're being harsh on yourself! 9a, 12a, 28a made my podium. I got quite stuck on 23d/26a at the end - eventually worked them out, although didn't fully understand 26a at the time. Spoilery comments in the replies.

Good to see you here! Like Amoeba I think you’re too hard on yourself as very few of these clues exercised my eyebrow much, and some were zingers. Podium: 9a, 28a, 8d. Further comment in reply ->

Yep, I agree with the others – you’re being way too harsh on yourself. Loads to like here, including 9a, 13a, 21a, 26a and 2d. Spoilers …

Thanks Blah, nicely done - faves include 9a, 13a, 26a & 2d. Spoilers ...