In grip of 'loons', leader of Tories changes course (7)

'changes course' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'in grip of loons leader of tories' is the wordplay.
'in grip of' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'loons' becomes 'divers' ('diver' can be a synonym of 'loon').
'leader of' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'tories' is 't'.
'divers' placed around 't' is 'DIVERTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?