First he saved the world, now Brown wants to call Transformer Optimus Prime

Just weeks ago, Gordon Brown claimed that he had saved the entire world from disaster with his economic nous.
The Prime Minister's stock was rising as people looked to have decided he was the right man to lead Britain through a crippling recession.
But today, as a new poll revealed business figures' confidence in his ability to handle the crisis has slumped, Mr Brown declared that he might need a hand after all.
And it was not to Chancellor Alistair Darling that he was referring - but the Transformer Optimus Prime who he lauded for his 'great problem solving skills'.




Plea for help: Gordon Brown said he would like to meet Transformers hero Optimus Prime because he is very good at problem solving

In what appeared to be yet another attempt to ingratiate himself with the man on the street, Mr Brown said he would like to meet the machine superhero from the hit film.

Quite what he would ask the leader of 'The Autobots', who turns from a lorry into a fully-armoured robotic soldier equipped with a laser rifle, was not clear.
And the fact that the robot is from the planet Cybertron and used to doing battle with Decepticons rather than the Tories did not appear to be an issue.
The Prime Minister made the startling admission in a radio interview as he revealed his two young sons loved Transformers.
'If I could meet Optimus Prime - he seems to be able to solve most of the problems,' he said.
The Tories immediately slammed the comment. A spokesman said Mr Brown had 'more in common with the Decepticons' who are the villains in the film.

But listeners found it hilarious and decided the robot leader would be a valid asset to the Cabinet - if only he was real.

One said: 'I know he was joking but I couldn't quite believe my ears at first. Saying that, I would love to see Brown and Cameron going at it with laser cannons.
'Optimus Prime would be one hell of an advisor to the PM. He stands for honour and justice and I would vote for him as Prime Minister if he were real.'


Hit: Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf in the 2007 Hollywood film Transformers

Mr Brown had appeared on the BBC West Midland's breakfast show to discuss the recession.

He veered on to the topic of Transformers after being asked what his children had received for Christmas and saying they were really into the machines.
The Transformers television series was a huge animated hit in the 80s and was made into a Hollywood film starring Megan Fox and Shia LeBeouf in 2007.
Hasbro, the toy company that makes Optimus Prime, describes the Autobot leader as a powerhouse force to be reckoned with.
It said: 'The greatest in a long line of Autobot leaders, Optimus Prime is a beacon of hope to those who suffer under the tyranny of Megatron.
'He is devoted to the defense of weaker creatures, and has dedicated his life to fighting against Megatron wherever he goes.
'He is unwavering in his compassion, which sometimes allows his enemies to take advantage of him, but he is also utterly without fear in the face of overwhelming odds.

'Where freedom is threatened, he is an unstoppable force, and a mighty defender of justice and right.'

Mr Brown's desire to call on fictional superheroes comes after wave upon wave of dire economic news as Britain battles its worst downturn for decades.
At the start of the crisis last autumn, Mr Brown turned his fortunes around by taking the lead on the global crisis.
He then blundered in the Commons last month by claiming he had saved the world during a vicious Prime Minister's Questions.
While defending his bail-out of the banking system, he said: 'We not only saved the world' when he meant to say the Government had saved the banks.
The gaffe prompted raucous laughter across the House, and was all the more amusing because he had earlier been likened to a superhero for taking the lead on the global economic crisis and always shrugged off the praise.
But today, a poll showed confidence among business figures in his ability to handle the recession has slumped.
The ComRes survey for the Independent showed support for Mr Brown had plunged from 42 per cent to 28.

Experts and even his own MPs are increasingly questioning measures implemented by Mr Brown and the Chancellor to boost the economy.
They are now said to be considering printing more money, on top of the ?37billion bank bail-out and ?20billion 'fiscal stimulus' package launched before Christmas.