Crossword Genius

Disheartened over a politician’s speechmaking (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oratory

'speechmaking' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'disheartened over a politician's' is the wordplay.
'disheartened' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'politician' becomes 'tory' (term for a Conservative Party politician).
'over' with its middle removed is 'or'.
'or'+'a'+'tory'='ORATORY'

(Other definitions for oratory that I've seen before include "speech day's main feature?" , "Place for private prayer" , "Art of public speaking or small chapel" , "Art of speech" , "Small chapel for private worship" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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