Political party short of work (3)

I believe the answer is:

lab

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This might be a double definition.

'political party' is the first definition.

'short of work' is the second definition.
'lab' can be an answer for 'work' (lab is a kind of work). I'm not sure about the 'short of' bit.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lab that I've seen before include "Science workshop" , "In brief, a room for scientific experiments" , "Research workroom" , "Scientists' workplace" , "Chemist's workroom" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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