Matthew was appointed as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) after a confirmation hearing at the Police and Crime Panel meeting on 16th December 2016.

He has been a member of Vale of White Horse District Council since 2003 and was Leader of the Council from 2011 to 2018. He currently represents the Steventon & the Hanneys ward.

Cllr Barber is married with two daughters. He lives in the village of West Hanney, and has lived in Oxfordshire most of his life. He grew up in Faringdon and was first elected to for the Faringdon & The Coxwells ward.