Possible Clues:

• Lib Dem politician reportedly dealt sharp blows
• Toppled, as a poplar
• Report of prominent Lib Dem being cut down
• Cut width through layer
• Cut with an axe or chisel
• Shaped with a hatchet
• Rough (unrefined)- --
• Axed when misbehaving
• Rough-__ (unfinished)
• When damaged, cut down