In most of country, English ultimately thought, 'Why this Tory policy?' (9)
I believe the answer is:
austerity
'in most' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'country english ultimately thought why this tory policy?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'country' could be 'us' (United States) and 'us' is present in the answer.
'english' could be 'e' (abbreviation) and 'e' is present in the answer.
'why' could be 'y' and 'y' is present in the answer.
'tory' could be 'r' (abbreviation for right) and 'r' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'atit' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for austerity that I've seen before include "Severeness of manner" , "Asceticism" , "Severity; lack of comforts" , "Severe self-discipline; lack of luxury/adornment" , "Self-denial of pleasures" .)