Crossword Genius

Conservative party member demanding vessel (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hardliner

'conservative party member' is the definition.

'demanding vessel' is the wordplay.
'demanding' becomes 'hard' ('hard' can be similar in meaning to 'demanding').
'vessel' becomes 'liner' (liner is a kind of vessel**).
'hard'+'liner'='HARDLINER'

(Other definitions for hardliner that I've seen before include "One committed to an uncompromising policy" , "One's rigorous in application" , "Uncompromising advocate" , "Doctrinaire type" , "man of principle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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