Crossword Genius

Conservative Brexiteer, one making cuts (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleaver

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

'one making cuts' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'conservative brexiteer' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'conservative' could be 'c' (UK political abbreviation) and 'c' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'leaver' 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 cleaver that I've seen before include "Butcher's knife" , "Meat axe" , "A butcher's chopping tool" , "A clever sort of axe" , "Long-bladed hatchet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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