Crossword Genius

An empty space English Democrat leaders bypassed (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

avoided

'bypassed' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'an empty space english democrat leaders' is the wordplay.
'an' becomes 'a'.
'empty space' becomes 'void' (I've seen this before).
'leaders' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'english democrat' is 'ed'.
'a'+'void'+'ed'='AVOIDED'

(Other definitions for avoided that I've seen before include "Steered clear of" , "Stayed clear of" , "Missed" , "Kept away from" , "Eluded or dodged" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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