Idiots and cronies seizing power (6)

I believe the answer is:

chumps

'idiots' is the definition.
(chump can mean a foolish person)

'cronies seizing power' is the wordplay.
'cronies' becomes 'chums' ('chum' can be a synonym of 'crony').
'seizing' indicates putting letters inside.
'power' becomes 'p' (symbol in physics).
'chums' enclosing 'p' is 'CHUMPS'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Another definition for chumps that I've seen is " Fools".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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