Catherine Mary Bakewell, Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville, MBE (born 7 March 1949)[2] is a British politician who is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords and formerly a district councillor for the Coker ward of South Somerset.

Bakewell worked with Ashdown for twenty years eventually running the Leader's Office after the 1997 elections.

[4] Bakewell was first elected to Somerset County Council in 1993, serving as Leader from 2001 to 2007, standing down in 2013.

[5][6][7] Bakewell was a member of the 2007 Councillors Commission which investigated the incentives and barriers to serving on Local Authorities.

[8] Bakewell has served as a Liberal Democrat District Councillor for the Coker electoral ward in South Somerset since 2009.