I'm not suggesting they're going to win mikey, but you do them a disservice and ignore them at your peril with your continued 'very minor party' mantra.
Clegg doubtless thought the same, he got a bloody nose for his troubles and it's become obvious to all and sundry that Farage and UKIP have gained momentum in recent months.
That's why they're now running scared with their wishy-washy fudging of the EU issue. Farage is the only one to nail his colours to the mast. Well, bar the (now a minor party) Lib Dems, and look where it's got them in the polls:
http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/blog/archives/8755