Conservative offer for leadership candidate? (9)
I believe the answer is:
contender
'leadership candidate?' is the definition.
'contender' can be an answer for 'candidate?' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'leadership' bit.
'conservative offer' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for Conservative).
'offer' becomes 'tender' (tender can mean to offer something).
'con'+'tender'='CONTENDER'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for contender that I've seen before include "One who strives" , "Candidate" , "One seeking title" , "One fighting others (for something)" , "Competitor, challenger" .)