DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg yesterday promised a change in the voting system would finally give the North East a ‘real voice’ in Westminster.

But, ahead of a day of political drama in the region tomorrow, academics warned their was no proof to support the Liberal Democrat leader’s claims.

In an interview with The Journal, Mr Clegg said previous governments had been able to ignore the region after being elected on a minority of votes cast.

But, he argued, that situation would change if tomorrow’s referendum successfully ushers in a switch to the alternative vote (AV) system for electing MPs.

Under the proposed system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate wins a majority, they are elected. If not, preferences come into play until a winner emerges.

Mr Clegg yesterday said the system would allow families in the region to have closer control over who they elect, which in turn, he said, would give voters more leverage over decisions in Westminster.

However academics said the claims were not supported by any evidence.

Mr Clegg said: “The North East is a region which has always been proud. It has always had a very strong progressive tradition, lots of Labour supporters, lots of Labour MPs.

“And yet the North East has always been ignored by London because we have had a succession of governments, not least Conservative governments for much of the last century, who were able to lord it over the North East despite only having a minority of the vote.

“That’s why if you want to ensure the North East gets its voice properly heard in London, we need a different system which forces MPs and all politicians to work much harder.”