Around my area, it's as blue as can be. MP has an enormous majority, so voting has never mattered in the slightest. In the Council elections, UKIP came a close second in every single seat to the Tories. I don't think that has ever happened before (the Tories never even bother to canvas round here).
I'm interested in what UKIP are saying mainly due to their stance on the EU. They are promising a referendum, and my vote will most likely go to the party that's serious about giving us one. Given that they are also the only party capable of removing the plank of an MP we have, I'm paying some attention.
If I thought they were like the BNP, I'd have nothing to do with them though. I've emailed their branch Chair, and asked to go along as a guest to their next branch meeting. If I like what I see, they'll get my vote in future. If they start coming out with anything dodgy, they won't.
Most political parties will admit observers to their branch meetings - although it will differ between branch to branch I suppose. Might be worth doing that if you're worried about what they might really stand for.