Crossword Genius

Split from Conservative facing Labour? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cleft

'split' is the definition.
(cleft can mean split or cloven)

'conservative facing labour?' is the wordplay.
'conservative' becomes 'C' (UK political abbreviation).
'facing' says to put letters next to each other.
'labour?' becomes 'left' (I've seen this in other clues).
'c'+'left'='CLEFT'

'from' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for cleft that I've seen before include "Split or indentation" , "Partially divided" , "split along natural lines" , "Split in the palate" , "Split into two" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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