Frenchman in row starts next to Barney in the local (8)
I believe the answer is:
argument
'barney in the local' is the definition.
'argument' can be an answer for 'barney' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'in the local' bit.
'frenchman in row starts next to' is the wordplay.
'frenchman' becomes 'm' (abbreviation for Monsieur - like 'Mr').
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'row' becomes 'argue' (I've seen this before**).
'starts' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'next to' is 'nt'.
'm' placed into 'argue' is 'argume'.
'argume'+'nt'='ARGUMENT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for argument that I've seen before include "Heated debate" , "Opposed points of view" , "'Debate, row (8)'" , "Clash of opinions" , "Discussion - line of proof" .)