Crossword Genius

Describing former scheme by a politician (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

explanatory

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

'describing former scheme by a politician' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'former scheme by a politician' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'scheme' becomes 'plan' (synonyms).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'politician' becomes 'tory' (term for a Conservative Party politician).
'ex'+'plan'+'a'+'tory'='EXPLANATORY'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for explanatory that I've seen before include "Serving to make something clear" , "Clarifying" , "illustrative" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app