Back to take steps - your leader is conservative (11)
I believe the answer is:
reactionary
'conservative' is the definition.
(I know that reactionary is a type of conservative)
'back to take steps your leader' is the wordplay.
'back' becomes 'rear' (something's rear is its back).
'to take' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are taken in).
'steps' becomes 'action' (taking steps is taking action).
'leader' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'your' is 'y'.
'rear' enclosing 'action' is 'reactionar'.
'reactionar'+'y'='REACTIONARY'
'is' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for reactionary that I've seen before include "No progressive" , "Opposing progress or reform" , "Ultra-conservative" , "right-winger?" , "Diehard" .)