What is the role of a spoiler party?

A spoiler party is a political entity that draws votes away from a major party, potentially affecting the outcome of an election. By appealing to specific issues or constituencies, it can split the vote among like-minded voters, thereby benefiting opposing candidates. This can lead to unintended consequences, such as the election of a candidate who might not have won if the vote had remained consolidated among the major parties. Spoiler parties often emerge when voters feel that their needs are not being adequately addressed by the mainstream parties.