Crossword Genius

Actual politicians with time for constant disagreement (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

contretemps

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

'disagreement' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'actual politicians with time for constant' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'politicians' could be 'mps' (Members of Parliament) and 'mps' is found within the answer.
'time' could be 'ret' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'ret' is located in the answer.
'constant' could be 'e' (mathematics: 2.71) and 'e' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'cont' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for contretemps that I've seen before include "Inopportune happening" , "Minor difference" , "Awkward occurrence or situation" , "Unexpected mishap" , "difficult situation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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