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Extra large cat receives shocking treatment in scrap for seat (2-8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

by-election

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'scrap for seat' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'extra large cat receives shocking treatment' is the wordplay.
'extra' becomes 'bye' (cricket term).
'large cat' becomes 'lion' (I've seen this before).
'receives' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are received).
'shocking treatment' becomes 'ect' (electro-convulsive therapy).
'lion' enclosing 'ect' is 'lection'.
'bye'+'lection'='BY-ELECTION'

'in' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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