Crossword Genius

Liberal politician tucked into liquid lunch perhaps (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ample

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

'liberal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'politician tucked into liquid lunch perhaps' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'politician' could be 'mp' (Member of Parliament) and 'mp' is present in the answer.
'liquid' could be 'ale' (ale is a kind of liquid) and 'ale' is found within the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ample that I've seen before include "No more, please!" , "Big" , "Fully enough" , "Easily sufficient" , "Generous" .)

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