Crossword Genius

Churchill's strength? Love rat Conservative scratching his head (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oratory

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

'his head' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'churchill's strength? love rat conservative scratching' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'love' could be 'o' (love means zero in tennis) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'conservative' could be 'tory' (informal term for a Conservative Party member) and 'tory' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ra' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for oratory that I've seen before include "Rhetorical language" , "Public speaking - eloquence" , "Rhetoric - chapel" , "Art of speech" , "formal speech" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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