Joe Swan says he’s standing by his comment that Matt Brown is “very young and very naive.”

Swan was criticized Tuesday by Brown and chided by Mayor Joni Baechler for playing the age card in a mayoral campaign where the gloves appear to have come off more than two months before Londoners go to the polls.

“My campaign is about leadership and experience. This is a large corporation, it’s complicated,” Swan said Tuesday.

The two council rivals are on opposite sides of the debate over whether the city should give Fanshawe College $10 million to buy the former Kingsmill’s store. The move would allow the college to expand its downtown campus to 2,000 students from the current 400.

Brown supports the plan while Swan says he’s opposed because the college could build or buy property at a cheaper price.

Brown, 41, reacted immediately after Swan’s comments about him were published Monday in a Free Press article.

“We need to step away from negative divisive politics, personal rhetoric and personal attacks,” Brown said Tuesday.

Brown’s response will likely resonate with voters, said Matt Horak, director of the local government program at Western University.

“It’s a smart way for Brown to respond. It’s true others have more experience, but he has substantial experience under his belt,” Horak said.

“The city needs new people in leadership and more representation from the younger generation.”

Brown, Swan and former councillor Roger Caranci are considered front runners in the mayor’s race. The election is Oct. 27.

Brown criticized Swan for taking a shot at his youth when the city is focusing on retaining and attracting young talent.

“It offends small business owners, young people who are driving the economy. To suggest a 41-year-old is too young to lead is ridiculous. There are many talented people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

“Citizens have said they don’t want this style of leadership anymore. . . . There have been many mayors in London younger when they took office.”

Brown pointed out former London mayors Tom Gosnell, Dianne Haskett and Anne Marie DeCicco-Best were all younger than him.

“They’re not running, I am,” Swan shot back.

“I have a solid 20 years experience here and I’m only 58, I have youthful energy and experience and knowledge.”

Baechler didn’t mince her words about Swan’s volley.

“It was unprofessional, that kind of comment doesn’t lead to healthy debate on issues.”

Brown is “a bright star in my eyes, and I don’t think we should be afraid of innovation and experience he brings to the table,” Baechler said.

She points to the mayors of Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Windsor, all young men who took the top seat.

“That kind of comment doesn’t lead to a healthy debate on issues. Londoners expect professional conduct from council. I hope that is demonstrated throughout,” Baechler said.

Sean Quigley, director of Emerging Leaders, the voice of young professionals in London, said Swan’s tone was unfortunate. But Quigley said he isn’t surprised.

“Given the comments of some on council students are only good for beer and pizza, that seems to be the ongoing message,” he said.

“I think they should reconsider what they’re saying. We need talent in the city. It shouldn’t be about age, but about ideas.”

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Matt Brown

Age: 41

Council experience: Finishing first term

“It offends small business owners, young people who are driving the economy. To suggest a 41-year-old is too young to lead is ridiculous. There are many talented people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.”

Joe Swan

Age: 58

Council experience: nearly 20 years

“My campaign is about leadership and experience. This is a large corporation, it’s complicated.”