Crossword Genius

Something providing direction and order during Conservative predicament (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

compass

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'something providing direction' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'order during conservative predicament' is the wordplay.
'order' becomes 'om' (order of merit).
'during' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'conservative' becomes 'c' (abbreviation commonly used in UK politics).
'predicament' becomes 'pass' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'c'+'pass'='cpass'
'om' inserted inside 'cpass' is 'COMPASS'.

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for compass that I've seen before include "Navigational aid" , "Range - vessel's navigating instrument" , "Drawing instrument" , "may be boxed" , "Direction-finding instrument" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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