The Times - Cryptic - December 19 2019 Crossword Puzzle Solutions

The Times - Cryptic - Times Cryptic No 27538
Clues	Answers
A British politician joining party, US-style: reaction tested here?	LABORATORY
As before dark, in twilit thicket observation starts	DITTO
At the outset, telephone number secure	TETHER
Big-hitter, banker after a lot of money heading for disaster	PILEDRIVER
Broken nose requires completely new bandaging, a state	MINNESOTA
Credit claimed by bowler for sensational headline	SCREAMER
Dishonest, unlike Pinocchio's conscience?	not cricket
Enjoy oneself, or be sad	get down
Face, horrid one	GRIMACE
Frank thus unable to provide signature?	OPEN
Go-getter getting back out of dreary country in recession	DYNAMO
Have on a type of leather	KID
In conclusion, newspaper upping ante finally __ prepare for attack	en garde
Language comprehended by Armenian or Serbian	NORSE
Oddly, isn't entirely put in	INSTALL
Old German forgoing introduction: some nerve!	AXON
Records perhaps concerned with contracts	RELEASES
Request individual gets on your bike	BEGONE
Rod, youthful server	BARTENDER
Scot's shot over a small republic	MALTA
See description in code as cryptic	DIOCESAN
See Portland and Augusta possibly consuming large mineral	TOURMALINE
Smooth heads seen in reflection, umpteen baldies	RUB
Staff enlisting characters from the Far East	CANTONESE
Strong fastening	STRAPPING
Stud's home? Scold the crawler	EARWIG
Superior instrument that’s moved right to the front in craft	ARROGANT
Test spirit of optimism when case dismissed	ORAL
Warm pieces turned over	SNUG
What beef is to Hindu, I say	holy cow
Wine and one soft drink in Ronda, lacking body	RIOJA
The Times - Cryptic - Times Quick Cryptic No 1508
Clues	Answers
Anger professional with very satisfactory English	PROVOKE
Carry out pitchfork maybe	IMPLEMENT
Charge that is right for sword	RAPIER
Charm of unusual name associated with us	ENAMOUR
Country actor sharing top role in cinema appearance first of all	costa rica
Credit note returned __ it may secure admission	TICKET
Fruitful source __ a very quiet let, really excellent earnings initially	apple tree
Get dressing down as result of gambling disaster?	lose ones shirt
Higher after second drink?	SUP
Indefinitely postpone siting of new Church in California	CANCEL
Inducement gets tribe to change leader	BRIBE
Kind of gene, extremely typical inside	GENTLE
Once hit in crash, vulnerable	on thin ice
Point: cake’s been brought up	NUB
Poor quality marble, lacking interest	TAWDRY
Queen by eastern extension	ANNEXE
Referring to group’s moral principle, going round North	ETHNIC
Remove European plane holding 100	EJECT
Seaman in sub? No, transferred	BOSUN
Severely criticize meat dish	ROAST
Some hide ale, ruining trader	DEALER
Though briefly accepted by European, unsatisfactory road feature	POTHOLE
Two articles on time about plays	THEATRE
Where Times may end up __ finding water pipe bans out of order?	wastepaper bin