Britain's Home Secretary Charles Clarke arrives for a weekly cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London May 4, 2006. A sudden storm of sleaze and incompetence allegations could embarrass Britain's ruling Labour Party in local council elections on Thursday and even determine how much longer Prime Minister Tony Blair stays in power. The image of Blair's government has been tarnished in the last week by relentless criticism over the bungled release of foreign prisoners, hospital cuts and a confession by Blair's deputy that he had an affair with his secretary. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty