The following year, he stepped down from the leadership as a result of calling for extended powers for the European Parliament in his maiden speech there in defiance of party policy. The party conference condemned him. He left the party, but continued to sit as an independent MEP until 2002.
The following year, he relinquished his leadership position due to advocating for expanded powers for the European Parliament in his inaugural speech, which contradicted party policy. The party censured him. He left the party but continued to serve as an independent MEP until 2002.