Reputations take a long time to win but just a moment to lose and, after just six months in power, Labour wasted its credibility this week as allegations of political sleaze and dubious donations piled up.
Labour has soiled its squeaky-clean image. The howls of self-righteous indignation with which Labour greeted Tory problems over the years are now somewhat muted.
It began when the Government, which in opposition had said it would ban all tobacco sponsorship of sport - even if that meant Formula One motor racing had to leave Britain - performed a policy U-turn.
The minister chosen to make the announcement that tobacco sponsorship could stay was Tessa Jowell, the Junior Health Minister. The problem is that Ms Jowell's husband, a lawyer, works for Benetton's Formula One team. She wriggled as her critics bayed for blood and claimed the decision had nothing to do with him.
But then came the news that one of Labour's biggest benefactors - a man invited to 10 Downing Street one evening just a few weeks ago - was Bernie Ecclestone, vice-president of the International Automobile Federation, in other words the boss of Formula One.
It turns out Mr Ecclestone, a former contributor - like so many Hong Kong figures - to Conservative Party funds, gave Labour GBP1 million (HK$12.6 million) just before the election, the biggest donation ever made by an individual to the party's coffers.
