Possible Clues:

• Chris Matthews' show
• Ruthless tactics in difficult social gathering
• Firm with British colleague mostly showing rough tactics
• Difficult dance to negotiate without bending?
• No-nonsense approach of a rural dean confronting bishop in room
• No-nonsense attitude of firm prior to dance
• Difficult dance is tactic to win
• A ruthless attitude in business or politics
• No-nonsense tactics, an element of cricket
• Ruthless tactics