Crossword Genius

Party in minutes ending in government — probable landslide? (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

no contest

'probable landslide?' is the definition.
(a landslide is a decisive electoral victory)

'party in minutes ending in government' is the wordplay.
'party' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for Conservative Party).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'minutes' becomes 'notes' (notes on a meeting).
'ending in' says to take the final letters.
The last letter of 'government' is 't'.
'con' inserted inside 'notes' is 'nocontes'.
'nocontes'+'t'='NO CONTEST'

(Other definitions for no contest that I've seen before include "sure-fire victory" , "one-sided fight?" , "The winner is obvious!" , "Without serious competition -- hands down" , "Outcome's already known" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.