Matthew Oakeshott, Baron Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay

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Matthew Alan Oakeshott, Baron Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay (born 10 January 1947), is a British Liberal Democrat politician and currently Spokesperson for Treasury and for Work and Pensions.

The son of Keith Robertson Oakeshott and Eva Jill Oakeshott, he was educated at the Charterhouse School. He studied as an undergraduate at University College, University of Oxford, and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (subsequently converted into a Master of Arts). He worked in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning of Kenya from 1968 to 1970. During 1970 to 1972, he undertook post-graduate studies at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, though without completing a graduate degree. He served during the latter period as a member of the Oxford City Council, elected as a then-member of the Labour Party.

From 1972 to 1976, Oakeshott was Special Adviser to Roy Jenkins. After this be became director of Warburg Investment Management, a post he held until 1981. Following this, he worked as manager for Courtaulds Pension Fund until 1985. One year later, he became founder director of OLIM Ltd. and investment director of Value and Income Trust.

He was made a life peer as Baron Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, of Seagrove Bay in the County of Isle of Wight on 1 May 2000. He is currently on the advisory board of the liberal CentreForum think-tank.

Oakeshott has been married to Philippa Poulton since 1976; they have two sons and one daughter.