He's had more time to become a sort of statesman (5)

I believe the answer is:

elder

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'sort of statesman' is the definition.
(as in an elder statesman)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elder that I've seen before include "Shrub with white flowers and berrylike fruit" , "Earlier born" , "senior church member" , "Ancestor" , "Tie up" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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