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The clue reads: "Express doubt after crafty spin led soldier on!" (3,11)

The letters are: - I - / D - S - E -A - D - M

The answer appears to be NIL DESPERANDUM, but I haven't the faintest idea why. Please can someone explain it?

Er and um, is expressing doubt.
After anagram of "spin led".

nil desperandum = soldier on
express doubt - er and um
anagram of spin led

er and um - express doubts
after
nil desp - anagram (crafty) spin led

The phrase means, more or less, "Don't give up"

Thank you. It seems a bit contrived, though!

It's cryptic!

It does make some kind of sense now you've explained it, but I'd always thought the phrase was "um and er". Shows how much I know... (sigh)

I rather liked it!

I think the phrase you are thinking of, Madwoman , is "um and ah" - it means showing hesitation - and can be found in Chambers!

Yes, I think you're right. I'll now turn my poor addled brain to today's Jumbo...