Crossword Genius

Conservative failure is not so far away (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

closer

'not so far away' is the definition.

'conservative failure' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'c' (abbreviation commonly used in UK politics).
'failure' becomes 'loser' (synonyms).
'c'+'loser'='CLOSER'

'is' is the link.

(Other definitions for closer that I've seen before include "Stuffier" , "Comparatively near" , "not so remote" , "Nearer or more penny-pinching" , "Nearer as to time or event" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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