Crossword Genius

Conservative with clever message (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cable

'message' is the definition.
(as in sending a cable to someone)

'conservative with clever' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'clever' becomes 'able' (able can mean skilled or talented).
'c'+'able'='CABLE'

(Other definitions for cable that I've seen before include "This may pull car up" , "A message transmitted" , "Liberal Democrat" , "Thick wire; telegram" , "Rope for communication" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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