There are two enduring mysteries about the British left. The first, and most serious, is its deep attachment to bureaucratic fronts. The second is its belief that Sinn Féin is in some way part of the radical European left, thus enabling it  to get invited to events like the Socialism or Barbarism – ‘Arise – a Festival of Left Ideas’ Dayschool 2025.

It isn’t just that they are in coalition with the Trump /IDF supporting Democratic Unionist Party. Let us set aside for a moment the fact that its members have a reputation for gaming social housing waiting lists.  We can momentarily turn a blind eye to how it divvies up sectarian based funding along with the DUP and loyalist drug gangs.

The party’s own website says it is for ensuring “new IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) centres are not placed in working class communities already under severe pressure”. That is a polite way of saying refugees are the problem. It goes on to demand “Greater implementation of legal provisions for fines on airlines and other carriers transporting passengers with no documents and for prosecutions of individuals”. Presumably that means migrants should be sent to prison before being deported.

The Sunday Times has reported what this will mean for the famously obedient party members facing a situation where refugees may be accommodated in areas where they are hoping to win votes. “The party will be much more forceful in demanding such centres­ are not located in areas of ­deprivation or in communities where services are already under pressure.”

As overt racism is traditionally associated with loyalism in the north and the newly emerging far right in the south, members are instructed to brandish their version of the  garlic and a crucifix that might scare off a vampire.

They are reminded that it is “important to be guided by republican principles” and warned that they should “never engage in anything that could be construed as anti-migrant/racist or with those who use racist rhetoric­”.

They will however be demanding “community engagement” in local decisions. This is effectively offering a forum to every racist with a Tik Tok account an opportunity to rant in public about “undocumented people who don’t share our values” and every other argument they dredge from the sewers.

But it is worse than that. The party’s briefing document to members which the report cites instructs them to help assemble the mob with pitchforks. It says “Representatives are urged to engage with the community by knocking on doors, using local and social media to “let people know what you are doing”. In practice this means that they will be telling people in their electoral target areas that a bunch of migrants are moving in and there is already pressure in health and transport services. It isn’t the same as the UDA smashing windows and beating people up, but it is most definitely an utter capitulation to the growing racism in Irish society.

So, while it might be good that the party is boycotting the annual paddywhackery in Trump’s Whitehouse this gesture is more than offset by its sly compromise with racists.