UN RESOLUTION 2249 “calls upon member states that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures” against ISIL. It is to be welcomed.

To quote the resolution, ISIL “constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security”. The horrific attacks on France, Lebanon and elsewhere show this.

Talk has been of a vote in the Commons committing the UK to an aerial bombardment of ISIL positions in Syria. But before this vote takes place there are a number of questions that the Government has to answer: What is the aim of this bombing campaign? If it is to bring about or facilitate the destruction of ISIL, then the Government needs to answer another question: What if the bombing campaign alone does not bring this about?

What are we prepared to commit to in order to bring about the destruction of ISIL? What is being done to get co-operation from countries like Saudi Arabia which have been accused of funding ISIL?

And what happens to Syria assuming ISIL is destroyed? Is there a plan for what comes after that will bring peace and stability to this desperate country?

I support the UN and the Government in seeking to destroy this vile organisation. But if we do not have answers to these questions, then our intervention has the potential to make matters worse.

Cllr SEAN WOODCOCK
Beaulieu Close, Banbury