Crossword Genius

Tory retains too much material (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cotton

'material' is the definition.
(cotton is a kind of material)

'tory retains too much' is the wordplay.
'tory' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for Conservative).
'retains' is an insertion indicator.
'too much' becomes 'ott' (short for 'over the top' - informal British).
'con' enclosing 'ott' is 'COTTON'.

(Other definitions for cotton that I've seen before include "Kind of thread or fabric" , "Soft white substance used to make fabric - in song, Old Man River don't plant it" , "Substance like fine wool" , "Natural textile fibre" , "Fibre including kapok" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Times.
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