Perhaps patron will show parent cunning ploy? (7)
I believe the answer is:
patrick
'perhaps patron will' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'parent cunning ploy?' is the wordplay.
'parent' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'cunning ploy?' becomes 'trick' (I've seen this before. I am not sure about the 'cunning' bit.).
'pa'+'trick'='PATRICK'
'show' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for patrick that I've seen before include "Irish patron saint" , "Name" , "Patron saint who said 'Shoo!' to serpents" , "-- Moore, astronomer" , "Patron saint of Ireland" .)