Refuse to meet with democrat instead of conservative (5)
I believe the answer is:
dross
'refuse' is the definition.
(both can mean rubbish)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
(Other definitions for dross that I've seen before include "Worthless matter" , "Worthless or dangerous material" , "Scum - dregs" , "Worthless stuff" , "Waste from molten metal" .)