Difficult to understand Tories' poor standing in the European Community (8)

I believe the answer is:

esoteric

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

'difficult to understand' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for esoteric that I've seen before include "not generally understood" , "Intelligible only to informed people in coteries" , "Occult" , "Inner - secret" , "Support jutting out from wall" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app