Crossword Genius

Money the attraction that traps Conservative (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lucre

'money' is the definition.
(I know that lucre is a type of money)

'attraction that traps conservative' is the wordplay.
'attraction' becomes 'lure' (lure is a kind of attraction).
'that traps' indicates putting letters inside.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'lure' placed around 'c' is 'LUCRE'.

'the' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for lucre that I've seen before include "monetary gain" , "Ulcer (anag)" , "Scornful word for money that may be 1 Across" , "tin" , "ill-gotten gain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent and The Times.
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