This one has me stumped - I've mostly completed the right-hand side of the grid, including the story therein, but I can't a handle on the left. Can anyone help with
1D - Done in the way of the state (6)
18D - Unscrupulous adviser's bound to break the line (10)
34A - US magistrate's answer cut short by President (6)
(all clues may have letters ignored in the wordplay).
Thank you!
ripper, you're nearly there, the pre-Liberal is letters 1,2,3 and 7, with the last letter of politician, and 'in' inside it. Definition = plaintive.
(I think!)
Not sure about 38D though..