Hardliner returning stalwart lucidly defends (5)
I believe the answer is:
ultra
'hardliner returning' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'stalwart lucidly defends' is the wordplay.
'ULTRA' is hidden backwards within the letters.
However, I am not sure how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ultra that I've seen before include "Far beyond the norm" , "Above, beyond, super" , "Project started at Bletchley Park in 1939 to break the Enigma code" , "Over the top" , "Saharan dweller" .)