Crossword Genius

Left revolutionary in charge of hot line? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tropic

'hot line?' is the definition.
(the tropics are hot regions of the Earth)

'left revolutionary in charge' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'port' (left side of a ship - opposite of starboard).
'revolutionary' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
'port' backwards is 'trop'.
'trop'+'ic'='TROPIC'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for tropic that I've seen before include "One of two lines" , "Parallel of latitude about 25o N or S" , "Capricorn, say" , "Latitude 23 and a quarter 26 N or S" , "Line bordering hot region" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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