The Nationalist Party is against divorce legislation because it will change the definition of “permanent” marriage and is not a suitable way of promoting the family value, according to a resolution to be voted upon by the party on Saturday.

The resolution also acknowledges members of the party have contrasting views on the subject and should, therefore, be given full liberty to vote according to their individual ­consciences.

It adds the divorce Bill – moved by Nationalist backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Labour MP Evarist Bartolo – should be debated as soon as possible in Parliament and should include a clause to make its introduction subject to a referendum. If approved in Parliament, where the PN is proposing its MPs should be given a free vote, a referendum should be held two months later.

“The Maltese family is based on the permanent marriage between a man and a woman and this offers the appropriate structure for a stable family in which children are raised... The PN remains in favour of the unity of the family and against the introduction of divorce because this is not a suitable way of promoting the value of family as it changes the definition of marriage as a permanent bond,” says the resolution, drawn up by general secretary Paul Borg Olivier, which was published yesterday.

The motion was written after five executive committee meetings about the family in the context of the Private Member’s Bill proposed by Dr Pullicino Orlando and Mr Bartolo last year.

Throughout the meetings, diverse and sometimes conflicting views were expressed by many speakers, giving testimony to the fact the party was not afraid to take a stand on delicate issues affecting Maltese society, the PN said last night.

“This was done with a sense of responsibility in the interest of the country and not what is good or not for the party electorally.”

The resolution acknowledges that the country sees the family as the foundation of society and it should therefore be given “full, concrete and continued” support to strengthen it.

“(The party) understands there are circumstances that lead marriages to break down irreparably and, as a result, there are consequences which are bad for the family, for children and for society.” But, in such circumstances, the solution that should be provided by the Maltese state should prioritise the interests of children.

The resolution quotes national statistics which show the large majority of marriages in Malta are strong and durable, with 60 per cent of residents being married, six per cent widowed and four per cent separated or divorced.