Widespread colours (8)
I believe the answer is:
standard
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'widespread' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'colours' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for standard that I've seen before include "Basic criterion" , "Conventional" , "some soldiers find bearable?" , "Flag - norm" , "Reference point against which other things can be evaluated" .)