Wannabe MP Chinyelu Susan Onwurah is returning home

Sep 27 2009 by Adrian Pearson, Sunday Sun

Chi said she had the option to run for a seat in another constituency but decided it “did not feel right” and instead waited for the chance to go back to her home town.

Describing herself as “a bit of a swot”, Chi spoke warmly about her Newcastle childhood.

She said: “At Hill View we were among the only black kids and in Kenton. I think there was maybe just one other black family.

“And, yes, I experienced some racism, but I’ve had the same experiences in many other places, including Nigeria.

“You get that sometimes, especially from kids because that’s what they do.

“But my strongest memory is of the fairness and integrity of all the grown ups I knew, so that when I was being teased or bullied the teachers at school were just so determined that I and all of us would be educated and learn something so I knew I had the support of the school and that was so important.

“The vast majority of people care more about who you are than the colour of your skin. My memories of Newcastle are built around the kindness we experienced from people who never had reason to do so.”

Those childhood memories include reading the Sunday Sun while her mum cooked a roast in the kitchen.

Her father would also have been a familiar figure in Newcastle, with potential voters already telling Chi they remember her dad as one of the nicest dentists they ever met.

The would-be MP says she wants to hear from anyone who knew her father, or just from people who want to explain what they want from a Labour MP in Newcastle.

She can be contacted by emailing chi@chi4central.com