Crossword Genius

Leader of the pack once prime minister links up with member of parliament (5,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brown owl

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'leader' is the definition.
(I have seen 'young leader' mean 'brown owl' so perhaps 'leader' could also mean 'brown owl')

'pack once prime minister links up with member of parliament' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'with' could be 'w' (abbreviation) and 'w' is found in the answer.
'member' could be 'owl' (I have seen 'Member of Parliament' mean 'owl' so perhaps 'member' could also mean 'owl') and 'owl' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bron' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'of the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brown owl that I've seen before include "Guide who leads" , "young leader" , "Bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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