szeto remained the unofficial party whip of the democratic party. he retired from the legislative council in 2004 and remained his influence in the pan-democracy camp. in 2010, he led the moderate faction of the camp to oppose the radical-led five constituencies referendum movement and played a significant role in drawing the revised proposal of the electoral reform package in the democrats' negotiation with the beijing authorities over. he remained the chairman of the hong kong alliance until he died in 2011 at the age of 79.