Crossword Genius

Support British to the maximum, dismissing Unionist? It could be decisive (6,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

second ballot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'maximum dismissing unionist? it could be decisive' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'support british to' is the wordplay.
'support' becomes 'second' (eg to second an idea is to support it).
'british' becomes 'b' (abbreviation e.g. in 'BBC').
'to' becomes 'allot' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'second'+'b'+'allot'='SECOND BALLOT'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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