 A strong advocate of Belgian independence, he called for joint action between the Rexists and the Flemish National Union in an attempt to frustrate German plans to incorporate Belgium into the Greater Germanic Reich but when Degrelle, who had returned from action, rejected this policy he resigned from Rex in January 1943.The two also clashed over Streel's desire to refocus Rex as a strong political party, something that did not interest Degrelle, who preferred them to be a militarily-minded movement, a further cause of the 1943 split.Having left Rexism, he continued his personal policy of limited collaboration, contributing to journals and radio broadcasts.