Crossword Genius

Minister in party had to have control (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dominate

'control' is the definition.
(I know that dominate is a type of control)

'minister in party had' is the wordplay.
'minister' becomes 'min' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'party' becomes 'do' (do is a kind of party).
'had' becomes 'ate' (e.g. I had an ice cream).
'do'+'ate'='doate'
'min' inserted into 'doate' is 'DOMINATE'.

'to have' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for dominate that I've seen before include "Be lord over" , "corner" , "Command, control" , "Govern" , "Admit one in order to be in control" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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