in my lifetime, the ndp have never been anything more interesting than a superfluous adjunct of the liberals, that just causes the country problems. i've argued vehemently against merger, but it's because i want to bring back a three-party system, not because i think they're worth supporting, as they are. if a new party arises on the left, i would strongly advise the ndp to merge with the liberals, rather than try and drag the process on.