Perhaps it's the echoing of torn loyalties; perhaps it's all those breeches, bodices and splendid hats.
The economy is on the brink of default and loyalties are torn between Europe and Russia.
"My son," he added, "is a good Muslim and his loyalties belong to Britain, so I don't understand what he's doing there".
As early as January 2003, one SDLP (Northern Ireland's second string nationalist party) insider, Tom Kelly, argued that his party's vote base would be sympathetic to shifting loyalties to the larger southern beast.
She is a progressive voter of the type whose loyalties are being contested by the Greens and Labour in a range of constituencies.
Constitutional experts believe dual nationality would not present any technical barrier to Johnson becoming prime minister, but he would be likely to face questions about his loyalties.
A few. Elections are won and lost locally as well as nationally, and many incumbent MPs, particularly those such as Jim Murphy or Charles Kennedy with high profiles, will hope that personal loyalties can help them hold back the tide – pollsters do not name MPs but election ballots do.
The strongest criticisms by inspectors were aimed at Oldknow, where they found evidence that the primary school was riven with "split loyalties and allegiances" among staff.
Anyone who was properly in touch with what was happening in Scotland these last few years would have observed some subtle signs that a transfer of loyalties was taking place.
"In foreign policy it embraces universal ideals without the means to enforce them, and cosmopolitan identity in contention with national loyalties".
Related: In the poor heart of Glasgow, political loyalties melt away Initial research for the party in Glasgow suggests that Murphy has made significant headway with swing voters,particularly with his message that Scottish Labour will fight for Scotland's interest.
