Damien McBride

Damian McBride served as a special adviser to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2003-2009, gaining notoriety for his aggressive media management style and role in political scandals. He worked his way up through the civil service before becoming Brown's head of communications at the Treasury and later Director of Communications when Brown became Prime Minister. McBride resigned from his position in 2009 after it was revealed he had participated in discussions about creating a website to spread unfounded personal attacks against Conservative politicians and their families. The incident, known as "Smeargate," drew significant media attention and damaged both McBride's reputation and Gordon Brown's government. Following his departure from politics, McBride wrote "Power Trip: A Decade of Policy, Plots and Spin," a memoir published in 2013 that provided an insider's account of the Brown government. The book generated controversy for its revelations about internal Labour Party conflicts and the aggressive nature of political communications during that period. Since leaving politics, McBride has worked in communications for the Catholic aid agency CAFOD and occasionally provides political commentary. His experience and subsequent fall from power have made him a significant figure in discussions about the role of special advisers and media management in British politics.

McBride's memoir "Power Trip" generated strong reactions from readers, with most focusing on his insider account of Gordon Brown's time as Prime Minister. Readers noted his detailed revelations about UK political operations and appreciated the candid look behind Westminster's scenes. Multiple reviews cited the "car crash fascination" of reading about political machinations. Readers found value in McBride's explanation of how modern political media works. Critics called him untrustworthy and self-serving, questioning his attempt to profit from admitted wrongdoing. Many felt the book tried to justify unethical behavior. Several reviews criticized the defensive tone and lack of real remorse. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (219 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (201 reviews) Amazon US: 3.9/5 (42 reviews) Notable review quote: "Like watching a confessional documentary about a mafia hitman - fascinating but leaves you feeling grimy." - Guardian reader review

Power Trip: A Decade of Policy, Plots and Spin (2013) A memoir detailing McBride's time as Gordon Brown's special adviser, chronicling the inner workings of British government from 2003-2009 and the political scandals that led to his resignation.

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