Unclued lights, across single or double entries, one entry used twice, follow a theme which is also thus represented.

Across

1 Western Lake District rambling is not approved by the Union (7,6)

9 Rio’s crime writer, Romeo, going round in circles (7)

11    A faith leader disregarding bishop about drink (7)

16    Uninitiated outsiders getting rights to property (5)

17    Australian officer accepting off and on fear of flying (4)

20    ‘A flipping cat eats uniform’ by hot dramatist (7)

21    Self-absorbed people like Oscar getting firsts (7)

23    Playing ‘Pairs’ in the empty pad (7)

24    Mr Speaker’s gutted to host regressive individual (5)

25    Close vacant factory storing footwear (5)

31    Without Victoria, sadly can’t ever perform again (7)

37    Harangue artist in retrospective review (6)

38    Dance backwards, embracing grand old swindler (5)

39    Make up for almost never returning from home (4,3)

40    A close friend beginning to mock POTUS? (7)

41    Disparaging reference to models of dryers (13)

Down

2 Hybrid car engine giving Ferrari feel finally when reversing (5)

3 Go in neutral jacket featuring sequins at the front… (5)

4 … to premiere of The End of Love with Mississippi idols (6)

5 Governors and special forces taking part in uprising (7)

6 Spooner’s choir is hoarse (7)

7 Start to work from home after strike (4,2)

8 Chairman wrongly accepted university place, many years ago (9)

10    They record fall of a US ageing Republican in turmoil (4,6)

13    Sprinkle stain extremely lightly with caustic spirit (7)

15    Fixed term contracts in EU end badly (8)

22    Playing table tennis isn’t cleared or sustainable (7)

26    Start of 2027? Party time! (4,3)

28    Understanding amongst government enterprises (7)

29    Bird in gnarled tree by lake is under pressure (6)

30    Somewhat sought after clubhouses? (6)

32    Trouble when a horse starts to roll over (5)

33    Some animals have these hard or nodulous extremities (5)

34    Sends junk plans back; success in the end (5)

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A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 17 August. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2763, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP.