Crossword Genius

Places where one may research political party, or a group from the opposite side (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

laboratories

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'places where one may research' is the definition.
The definition and answer are not the same part of speech. However, I know that 'research' relates to this answer.

'political party or a group from the opposite side' is the wordplay.
'political party' becomes 'lab' (abbreviation for Labour Party).
'group from the opposite side' becomes 'tories' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'lab'+'or'+'a'+'tories'='LABORATORIES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for laboratories that I've seen is " Rooms for scientists".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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