V3: Last updated: October 14, 2025
The Open Party (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website to provide you with a better user experience, ensure the security of our services, and support our operations as a political organisation. By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or phone) when you visit a website. They help websites function effectively, remember your preferences, and provide insights into how the site is used. Other technologies, such as pixels or local storage, may also be used for similar purposes.
Why do we use cookies?
We use cookies to:
- Ensure our website functions correctly (essential cookies).
- Improve your experience by remembering your preferences.
- Analyse how our website is used to enhance its performance.
- Support secure interactions, such as identity verification and one-time password (OTP) services.
- Facilitate our operations, including membership processes and candidate verification.
Types of cookies we use
1. Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They enable core functionality, such as accessing secure areas, processing forms, and ensuring the security of our services. Examples include cookies used for SMS and email OTP services to verify user identities.
2. Performance Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymised data about page visits, time spent on the site, and navigation patterns. This helps us improve the website’s performance and user experience.
3. Functional Cookies
These cookies allow us to remember your preferences (e.g., language or region) and provide enhanced features tailored to your needs.
4. Third-Party Cookies
We work with trusted third-party providers to deliver specific services, such as identity verification, candidate screening, and website maintenance. These providers may place cookies on your device to support their services. Below is a list of third-party services we use and their purposes:
| Third Party | URL | Purpose |
| Regula | https://regulaforensics.com/ | ID verification service for secure user authentication. |
| Firetext | https://www.firetext.co.uk/ | SMS OTP services for secure user verification. |
| Vsourz | https://www.vsourz.com/gb/ | Web development and server maintenance to ensure a reliable website experience. |
| Neotas | https://www.neotas.com/social-media-screening/ | Social media screening for candidate vetting. |
| Sterling Check | https://www.sterlingcheck.co.uk/ | Social media screening for candidate vetting. |
| O/S | – | Email OTP services for secure user authentication. |
These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies, which we encourage you to review for more information about how they handle your data.
How we use your data
Cookies help us collect information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, and pages visited. This data is used to:
- Verify your identity for secure access to our services (e.g., membership registration or candidate applications).
- Monitor and improve website performance.
- Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, particularly for candidate verification and screening processes.
- Deliver personalised content and communications, where applicable.
For more details on how we process your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.
Managing cookies
You can control how cookies are used through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, but doing so may affect your ability to use certain features of our website, particularly those requiring secure authentication (e.g., OTP services). To learn how to manage cookies, visit your browser’s help section:
How long do we keep cookie data?
Session cookies are temporary and are deleted when you close your browser.
Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period (e.g. to remember your preferences) or until you delete them.
| Cookie Name | 1st or 3rd Party | Duration | Purpose |
| PHPSESSID | 1st | Session | Maintains user session across different pages. |
| wordpress_logged_in_ | 1st | Session | Identifies the logged-in user and maintains authentication. |
| wordpress_sec_ | 1st | Session | Provides security for logged-in sessions. |
| wordpress_test_cookie | 1st | Session | Checks whether cookies are enabled on the browser. |
| itsec-hb-login | 1st | Session | Ensures secure login access via Solid Security plugin. |
| mo_openid_signup_url | 1st | Session | Tracks single sign-on (SSO) and user authentication |
| wp-settings | 1st | Persistent | Stores user-specific WordPress admin interface preferences |
| wp-settings-time | 1st | Persistent (1 year) | Stores timestamp for user-specific WordPress admin interface preferences |
| wp-wpml_current_language | 1st | Persistent (1 day) | Maintains the user’s selected language preference. |
| cf_clearance | 3rd party | Persistent (1 year) | Manages bot protection and allows verified access. |
| _fbp | 3rd Party (Facebook) | Persistent (90 days) | Delivers targeted advertising based on user behaviour. |
| _ga | 3rd Party (Google Analytics) | Persistent (2 years) | Tracks website performance and distinguishes users for analytics. |
| pbid | 1st | Persistent (6 months) | Tracks user behaviour and personalizes content. |
Data collected via cookies is retained in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
Third-party services and data sharing
We partner with third-party providers to deliver essential services, such as ID verification, candidate screening, and website maintenance. These providers may use cookies or similar technologies to perform their functions. We ensure that all third parties comply with data protection regulations, and we only share the minimum data necessary for their services.
For example:
- Regula may process data for identity verification.
- Firetext and our email OTP service (O/S) use cookies to facilitate secure SMS and email authentication.
- Vsourz supports website functionality and maintenance.
- Neotas and Sterling Check may use cookies for social media screening as part of our candidate vetting process.
Changes to this Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, third-party services, or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page, and the “Last updated” date will be revised accordingly. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this policy, please contact us
* The Open Party’s cookie policy is a holding policy during our pilot project in Wales. Once the General Election has taken place on the 7th of May 2026, we will update this policy.