Wedded to Labour's statist tradition, he has abandoned the Blairite public-service reforms so utterly that they are now popularly attributed to the ruling Tories.
But while locals that are savvy enough to jump ship can prosper, those wedded to the traditional pastoral life are pushed into deep poverty.
He has remained wedded to the stage, though with some intriguing diversions: for a few months after university, for instance, he trained as a clown in Italy.
"Much though he was wedded to politics all his life, I think Charles would have wanted to be remembered as a kind and loving father, brother and son first; and an accomplished politician second".
"Christianity and the Incas were wedded here," Señor Rivas says.
But ultimately, how long can they remain wedded to the sea?
Obama says he isn't wedded to any particular plan on a debt deal.
Brown, wedded to the pleasures of narrative, wrote detailed backstories for each of his people: the pot boy, he explained, may well be wishing that leafleting do-gooder would listen to his opinion for a change, while the girl turned thuggish childminder is coping with an alcoholic father who will soon be up before the bench.
If, as some have suggested, the voters seem still to be wedded to the "strong" government that the two-party system supposedly offers – and there is little prospect of imminent electoral reform – a new grouping might well be attractive to those seeking a clear cut alternative to Conservatism.
"I am not wedded to every detail of my plan.
Superficially at least, Daldry still appears wedded to the student-company lifestyle for which he was renowned throughout his decade-long tenure as the London theatre world's shining star.
