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Settles where Conservative is defeated (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

closes

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'settles' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'conservative is defeated' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'c' (abbreviation commonly used in UK politics).
'is defeated' becomes 'loses' (I've seen this before).
'c'+'loses'='CLOSES'

'where' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for closes that I've seen before include "comes to an end" , "Shuts" , "Wind up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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