Sinn Féin’s overreaction to Drumcree is a perfect example of Sun Tzu’s principle: “Appear strong when you are weak.” The parading dispute has left the Republican party totally and utterly exposed. A week ago the Parades Commission gave a painstakingly balanced, considered and sensitive determination. After weeks of deliberation, hearing and receiving submissions from all parties, they ruled in favour of the historic Drumcree procession m. When legally challenged, Orangemen secured their human rights in the courts. What was Sinn Féin’s reaction? How did republicanism respond to the first ruling that went against them in 28 years? By blocking roads, openly defying the law and inciting a toxic display of hate and sectarianism against their fellow citizens. Above everything else, that is how Drumcree ’26 will be remembered. Sure, it will all pay off for Sinn Féin in the short term. It will give them a boost in next year’s election. But the display of sectarian bile and brazen disregard for the rule of law won’t be easily forgotten and will undoubtedly come at a cost in the long term. Sinn Féin’s outward reputation, which they take such care to cultivate, is in tatters. Most citizens, even those sympathetic to the sensitivities of Garvaghy residents, will be dismayed that the First Minister of Northern Ireland sees no problem with flagrantly flouting the law. Further still, the Sinn Féin ‘charm offensive’ is now dead and buried. Buried beneath the rubble of a reckless barrage of demeaning and demonising language against the heritage and tradition of their unionist neighbours. All the honeyed words are but a distant memory, and the promise of a ‘New Ireland’ built on respect and equality is expired for at least a generation. Sinn Fein’s language, attitude and behaviour over Drumcree will serve as a constant reminder of what awaits unionists in any future constitutional settlement. It will be held up, again and again, as a continuous example of who Sinn Féin really are; a display of their authentic self, showing their true colours. This is what people mean when saying “the mask has slipped.” Knowing all of this, Sinn Féin have chosen to put on a week of performative theatre. “Appearing strong,” as it were, by using every aspect of campaign infrastructure to project strength in the face of such a dead end. They mobilised as many as they could from right across the island onto Garvaghy Road, holding rallies alongside all shades of nationalism. They produced multiple campaign-style videos and pulled every lever of influence they have available, such as US, EU and even UK political interventions. They even co-ordinated a ‘Protestant’ letter of support and rolled Kneecap into town. Yesterday, a series of celebrity endorsements (which weren’t quite endorsements) were also published. It is all a bit of a fever dream. A carnival campaign of insecurity and intolerance inspired by a party desperate to shift attention away from their governmental incompetence onto a stoked up sectarian dogfight. In truth, the real residents of Garvaghy Road are being exploited by Sinn Féin. Any actual fear or concern about a procession has been hijacked and turned into a platform to launch Sinn Féin’s election campaign, with no actual regard for local impact or consequences. By contrast, if the Orange Order wanted to put thousands in Edgarstown tomorrow, in support of the Portadown District, it could. There are c. 40,000 members of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland alone. If loyalists wanted to gather in their thousands, they could as well. Instead, unionism has shown restraint, responsibility and reasonableness. Not seeking to escalate or make a tense situation worse. Confident in the law, sincere in wanting to find a resolution, but also not exploiting people for their own electoral ends. Sinn Fein have built a campaign based on division, and no matter how they may try to spin it, it won’t be easily forgotten.