Politics doesn’t dwell on things. It hates a vacuum and a party immediately wants to know what’s next.

They all did their job well. Put simply: Show support, look strong, but don’t distract from the speaker.

There was a lot of furrowed brows and pursed lips and just a touch of surprise on the faces to show that they cared. This wasn’t easy, but they understood and were resolute. Mastering the serious face in politics is no mean feat.

Hildegarde Naughton was out front alongside the Taoiseach, a great spot for the photographs but not so good for television.

Once the camera zoomed in a little she was lost from the shot. It was perhaps a symbol of how some see her in this contest. Definitely someone Fine Gael want people to see and an image they like, but still perhaps an outside bet in such a contest.

On the other side, Helen McEntee made no mistake and huddled close to Leo. Her language was a bit different though. Eyes often went to the ground, she swallowed hard a few times and looked like the person least comfortable with what was transpiring. Though she was determined to stand loyally by Leo’s side.

Perhaps again it signifies her own thoughts on a leadership bid. The timing doesn’t suit her and she needs to be careful on which side she comes down in the coming weeks if she isn’t in the mix herself.

Heather Humphreys knew exactly the role she wanted to play — calm and dignified behind the leader. She never distracted from what he said but she gave a little nod when she agreed, let herself have a little smile when appropriate.

Looking directly at Leo like a mother figure caring deeply as he made his speech and then confidently projecting her concerned but calm look back out to the audience. She will definitely feel she is in with a shout and she looked like a woman who wanted all to know she was well clued in to what was happening about her.

Behind her stood Simon Harris. He probably had the strongest worried look of all.

At the same time he looked like a ball of nervous energy too. His gaze moved continually, left and right, up and down. The expression was engaged and concerned but his mind was possibly already planning.

There is little doubt but that he will want his name in the mix and he has the ability to move quickly — and it showed. Simon Harris appreciated Leo’s speech but he already wants the party to think about what comes next and where it is headed.

Simon Coveney was beside Harris. The look again was steady and thoughtful. His gaze was mostly straight ahead to the camera. This was a man who has seen it all before. The moments where his gaze changes was simply enough to let us know he was reacting. This is your calm steady choice, FG. This is your harbour in a storm.

Coveney has learned a lot from his previous run at leadership and he knows he has a lot of allies across the party grassroots. All he wants them to do is think. Calm solid reflection rather than a rushed panic is what will suit him most.

And there in the middle of it all was Pascal Donohoe. Lips pursed, also gazing straight ahead. When he looked away it was with chin raised as he looked off into the distance.

This was a man who saw the day as important, but a man with a lot of other very important things on his mind. Unflappable and accepting, another day at the office. Perhaps because he knows he might be leader if he wanted it. And, if he doesn’t, he is powerful enough to be the immovable object and the anchor his party needs.

Once the speech was done there were a few smiles and acknowledgements and a united turn back toward the door.

But in truth there must be a lot of advisers already hitting the Whatsapp groups for the temperature checks.

Johnny Fallon is strategy director with Carr Communications