Turns up, S. Ross is independent conservative bearing the responsibility for the cuts (8)
I believe the answer is:
scissors
'cuts' is the definition.
(scissoring is a kind of cutting)
'turns up s ross is independent conservative bearing' is the wordplay.
'turns up' is a reversal indicator.
'is independent' becomes 'i'.
'conservative' becomes 'c' (abbreviation commonly used in UK politics).
'bearing' becomes 's' (**).
's'+'ross'+'i'+'c'+'s'='srossics'
'srossics' written backwards gives 'SCISSORS'.
'the responsibility for the' is the link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scissors that I've seen before include "Equipment for dealing with locks" , "lock" , "Cutting instrument made of two joined blades with handles" , "Paper/fabric cutters" , "Wrestling hold" .)