Try extremely short article penned by conservative in Reform (2,8)
I believe the answer is:
go straight
'reform' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'try extremely short article penned by conservative' is the wordplay.
'try' becomes 'go' (both can mean an attempt).
'extremely' means to remove the middle letters (only the extremes of the word are used).
'article' becomes 'a' (the indefinite article in English).
'penned' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are enclosed or penned in).
'by conservative' becomes 'right' (associated in meaning. I am not sure about the 'by' bit.).
'short' with its centre removed is 'st'.
'a' going into 'right' is 'raight'.
'go'+'st'+'raight'='GO STRAIGHT'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for go straight that I've seen before include "Renounce all criminal activities" , "Turn to an honest life" , "Cease criminality" .)