The supplier's motive (6)

I believe the answer is:

demand

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'the supplier's motive' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for demand that I've seen before include "Madden (anag)" , "Request urgently" , "Claim; insist on" , "Ask as by right or call for as due" , "Necessitate" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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