Crossword Genius

One reluctant to join party with a large liberal elite (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wallflower

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'one reluctant to join' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'with a large liberal elite' is the wordplay.
'with' becomes 'w' (short for with).
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'liberal' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'elite' becomes 'flower' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'w'+'a'+'l'+'l'+'flower'='WALLFLOWER'

'party' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wallflower that I've seen before include "Non-participant" , "one's sidelined" , "Person waiting in vain to be asked to dance" , "One lacking a partner - garden plant" , "shy sort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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