NDP-Liberal Co-Operation

According to Harris-Decima, the majority of Canadians want to see some form of formal “co-operation” between the Liberals and the NDP. The article in the Globe and Mail doesn't state what the actual poll question was, and they didn't seem to ask any questions about the potential role of the Bloc in a possible coalition of losers. Half of Conservative supporters would also like to see more "co-operation" between the left wing parties, so a big chunk of that "majority" being reported in the Globe want to see an agreement that they believe will benefit the Tories.  Joan Bryden spins it as a majority wanting co-operation because they think it will be the best case scenario for the left wing and as such Canada.  Meanwhile at least 1/3 of that "majority" actually want co-operation because they believe it will help deliver a Tory majority.

Unless there is at the very least a non-compete pact, it is unlikely that the Liberals and the NDP will have 155 seats in the House of Commons needed for a stable government. Without a major shift in the polls, the Libs and Dips each running 308 candidates means that any power grab will have to include the Bloc.  What would a non-compete pact look like? Let's assume that in every riding where the Liberal finished ahead of the Dipper we shifted all Dipper votes to the lead candidate and visa versa where Dippers finished ahead of the Liberals. We can even assume that 100% of the voters shift to the strongest coalition candidate (though I'm sure many Liberal voters list the Tories as their 2nd choice). What would be the new seat count? Tory 113, Liberals 111, NDP 43, Bloc 40, Independent 1. A full non-compete puts the Liberals + NDP at 154 seats, and that is with a 38% to 26% gap between the Tories and Liberals in popular support. You can see why the non-compete treaty is being discussed in Liberal circles. The Liberals can finish a dozen points behind the Tories and still get 154 seats to their coalition.

Obviously the Liberals are concerned that they will lose votes on their right flank if they enter into a co-operation agreement with the NDP, otherwise why would they not do something that allegedly nearly 60% of Canadians supposedly want?

Update: Wendy Metzler on the CBC just said that there have been negotiations on a formal merger, and some of those people have even proposed new names for a united Liberal/NDP party. What do you think a new party of Liberals and Dippers should be named? The Lippers? I would like to make this a poll question in the near future, suggestions encouraged.