Spencer Herbert: People think I’m too young to vote

Honest to God. If everyone would shut up, you’d never know what election this NDP gathering was for. We’re at Heritage Hall on Main.

The 300-strong crowd is absolutely bedecked in pins for the provincial by-elections: “Elect Spencer Herbert”, “Elect Jenn McGinn”. Plus, there’s a swarm of COPE pins in the crowd, as well.

It’s election fever, and the sweater-wearers have dressed for it.

So has Spencer Herbert. Gone is his trademark Joey Jeremiah hat. It’s been replaced by a close-clipped ’do. Why?

“I get a lot of people who come up to me and ask me if I’m old enough to vote,” he said. “People don’t take young people as seriously as they take everyone else. Even with the experience I’ve got.”

Herbert noted that, until he updated his wardrobe, some voters wouldn’t talk to him when he was out campaigning. He also said, more darkly, that another campaign has been spreading the rumour that he’s 19 years old.

Everything he’s wearing tonight he already owned, he said. Plus, he quipped, “when can you get away with wearing a three-piece suit, other than a federal election party?”