Extremist sect destroying Conservative run area (5)

I believe the answer is:

ultra

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'extremist' is the definition.
(ultra can mean an extremist or radical)

'sect destroying conservative run area' is the wordplay.
'sect' becomes 'cult' (I've seen this before).
'destroying' is a deletion indicator.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'run area' becomes 'ra' (this might be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'cult' with 'c' taken out is 'ult'.
'ult'+'ra'='ULTRA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ultra that I've seen before include "Extreme - extremist" , "Person holding extreme views" , "Prefix meaning extreme or excessive" , "extraordinary" , "Prefix meaning beyond or excessively" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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