Briton of Nigerian Descent Selected for 2010 UK Election

Written by Duncan Friday, 23 October 2009

A Briton of Nigerian descent, Chinyelu Susan Onwurah, has been selected by the Labour Party (LP) as its candidate for Newcastle Central in the House of Commons for the 2010 parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom.

The 44-year-old Onwurah's late father was from Awka in Anambra State, while her mother was of second generation Geordie (Newcastle) of Irish descent.

She was selected last month as replacement for retiring veteran MP Jim Cousins. Cousins announced his decision to stand down in June, having held the seat for 22 years.

Onwurah is a senior engineer working in the public sector. She was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, and attended Kenton Comprehensive School where she was elected as the school's “MP” at 16.

“I did not expect to be selected as I am not a career politician and did not have the right contacts and networks. But I think the Labour Party members in Newcastle were looking for a candidate who could bring outside experience to the job of MP whilst being local to Newcastle and having strong Labour values. That's me!" said Onwurah.

However, she revealed that she had been active in politics and the campaign for social justice, giving an example of the anti-apartheid movement.

Continuing she said: “I am honoured to have been selected as Labour's candidate for Newcastle Central. Jim Cousins was an MP of huge standing, great integrity and a great example to follow. This is my home city. I was born here, welcomed back as a child and educated in the city. I owe everything to the people of Newcastle and now this is an opportunity to show my appreciation to them for the chances in life they have given me.

“Politics should be about partnership - not managing people but listening to what people want. I know what I want my home city to be; a city with an industrial base with excellent public services. I'll be campaigning hard to make sure that people in this great city are given the opportunities that they deserve.”

At the next general election, over 80 Black and other minority ethnic candidates from the main political parties will stand for election in constituencies around the country. And Labour is currently leading with nearly 40 candidates, with another 40 between the Conservative and Liberal Democrats.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown may call for national election next year May or June. The opposition nationally is the Conservative party but the stronger opposition that Onwurah will be facing from Newcastle would likely come from the Liberal Conservatives.

Onwurah was selected as part of a one person one vote ‘hustings’ where there were five candidates shortlisted, from the 14 that presented themselves. She told THISDAY that she expects the election to be tough, although, Labour according to her, has more to offer.

The engineer-turned politician studied Electrical Engineering at the Imperial College of Science and Technology. She holds an MBA from Manchester Business School and has been practising for over 20 years.