Crossword Genius

Famous Democrat holding together with flag (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

standard

'flag' is the definition.
(I know that standard is a type of flag)

'famous democrat holding together with' is the wordplay.
'famous' becomes 'star' (as in an all-star cast).
'democrat' becomes 'd'.
'holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'together with' becomes 'and' (and means together with or alongside).
'star'+'d'='stard'
'stard' going around 'and' is 'STANDARD'.

(Other definitions for standard that I've seen before include "The usual range" , "Flag - pattern - guide" , "Principle" , "sort of rose" , "Basic criterion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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