Crossword Genius

Republican following one providing support for The House (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rafter

'one providing support for the house' is the definition.

'republican following' is the wordplay.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'following' becomes 'after' (I've seen this before).
'r'+'after'='RAFTER'

(Other definitions for rafter that I've seen before include "traveller on log platform" , "Sloping beam that supports the roof" , "person on floating logs" , "Strong wooden beam for roof" , "Roofing beam" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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