The UK is not a nation though, it’s an unequal and slightly abusive partnership of about 4 nations (depending on how you count). Politically it’s very inhomogeneous: there’s a considerable chance of Scotland (where UKIP and the Conservatives both have negligible support) voting for independence this year.
That, more than anything UKIP could do on their worst day, would shake things up, and probably force a bit of long-overdue reform.
Also, there will be somewhere to go in case a Conservative/UKIP coalition sleepwalks over the Godwin line.
