How is it that the most politically heterogeneous cabinet in British history remained so glaringly homogeneous? Over 50% of the cabinet were privately educated. Only four are women. There is not a single elected Secretary of State from an ethnic minority. We need to develop a new generation of leaders who really will reflect and represent Britain in all its diversity more urgently than ever.

Affirmative action's critics argue that quotas, all-women lists, fast-tracking and the like place symbols over and above talent and preparedness. The long-term effect, they state, could in fact be corrosive as people start doubting the ability of the very same people who are in theory being helped. And they are right to point out that issues of preparedness need to be tackled. As well as their privileged academic education, from an early age pupils in public schools are equipped with soft skills that are central to leadership - self-confidence, inquisitiveness, debating and networking skills. Other than a few exceptions these are seen as less of a priority in most mainstream schools. Likewise, elite Universities, themselves still worryingly homogeneous and dominated by the privately educated, are also much better at promoting leadership on the campus. It therefore seems unsurprising that, despite their opposing political views, the two most powerful men in Britain are products of the public school system.

Leaders across the board agree that we need more public leaders who reflect modern Britain. The political parties have all introduced all-women lists but the proportion of women remains stubbornly low. What is required are programmes that provide the skills, grounding, confidence and character which can help those who have the inclination to serve become great leaders.

Through the UpRising project we have created a diverse pool of talented young leaders from East London who can change their communities and Britain for the better. UpRising identifies, recruits, develops and supports 19 to 25 year olds and enables them to play a greater role in politics and public decision-making. After three years, the results have been striking. UpRisers have launched anti-BNP campaigns, sit on grants committees and have successfully pushed for changes in legislation. They have debated with Michael Heseltine, shadowed Alastair Campbell and written for the Guardian.

The programme's success is driven by learning through experience. In addition to the regular training sessions, the UpRisers see who and how the levers of power work behind the scenes in Parliament, Government Departments and the media. They also test their new skills by running their own local campaigns. UpRisers receive one-to-one support and are each paired with a personal mentor - young(ish) public leaders who can offer support, advice and guidance throughout.

Launched in 2008, the UpRising programme is supported by Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg. The next class of UpRisers will be announced in East London this summer and we are looking to expand the programme to Birmingham next year.

To learn more visit www.uprising.org.uk