Crossword Genius

Liberal aimed to join new leader in constituency (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maidenhead

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'constituency' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'liberal aimed to join new leader' is the wordplay.
'liberal' is an anagram indicator.
'to join' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'leader' becomes 'head' (head is a kind of leader).
'aimed' with letters rearranged gives 'maide'.
'maide'+'n'+'head'='MAIDENHEAD'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for maidenhead that I've seen before include "town on the Thames" , "Place" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app