This will be getting nasty with local canvassing (9)

I believe the answer is:

sailcloth

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'this will be getting nasty with local canvassing' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for sailcloth that I've seen before include "I call host (anag) - canvas" , "fabric" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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