Isn't charged although first two were only speculative anyway (8)
I believe the answer is:
notional
'first two were only speculative anyway' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'isn't charged' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'charged' could be 'ion' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'ion' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'notal' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'although' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for notional that I've seen before include "Assumed to be correct for particular purpose, say estimate" , "Theoretical" , "La Gioconda" , "Unreal" , "Theoretic" .)