Crossword Genius

I’m surprised to find a Communist being driven with Poles? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oared

'driven with poles?' is the definition.
(oars are poles for rowing)

'i'm surprised to find a communist' is the wordplay.
'i'm surprised' becomes 'oa' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'to find' says to put letters next to each other.
'a communist' becomes 'red' (red can informally mean communist).
'oa'+'red'='OARED'

'being' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for oared that I've seen before include "Rowed" , "Adore (anag.)" , "Having something to pull on" , "ready for a row" , "Provided with motive power" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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