Mick Clifford: Leo Varadkar grew politically over the years but never became a vote magnet

His forthright and candid approach, let alone his early reputation as a right-wing firebrand, didn't fully survive his elevation to party leadership

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, with, from left, Hildegarde Naughton, Heather Humphreys, and Simon Harris. Picture: Nick Bradshaw/PA

Power drains like a big, open valve in a democracy.

When Leo Varadkar ended his brief resignation speech on the steps of Government Buildings on Wednesday, he was quite obviously emotional.