Crossword Genius

British, in a spot, don't vote (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abstain

'don't vote' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'british in a spot' is the wordplay.
'british' becomes 'b' (abbreviation e.g. in 'BBC').
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'spot' becomes 'stain' ('stain' can be a synonym of 'spot'**).
'a'+'stain'='astain'
'b' placed into 'astain' is 'ABSTAIN'.

(Other definitions for abstain that I've seen before include "Hold off" , "Refrain (from drink)" , "Keep away from drink" , "Withhold one's vote" , "Give backing to" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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