Downing Street has played down threats that it would go on effective strike if MPs reject Boris Johnson’s demand for a general election.
Briefings from Number 10 on Thursday night said the government would do the “bare minimum” in parliament if opposition parties refuse a snap poll.
The Budget on November 6 was cancelled and Chancellor Sajid Javid on Friday morning insisted the government would push for an election “again and again” in parliament.
But later, the prime minister’s official spokesman said Johnson was determined to press on with his programme of domestic reforms, while abandoning all Brexit legislation if MPs turn down an election.
“The prime minister has a dynamic and ambitious domestic agenda and he will continue pursuing that with full vigour,” the spokesman said.
“We won a vote on the Queen’s Speech last night and we want to deliver on the public’s priorities.”
Earlier, Javid told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme: “The opposition have said, week after week, that if there is a delay of three months, which is what they requested through parliament, then they will vote for a general election, so let’s see if they keep their word.
“And if they don’t then we will keep bringing back to parliament a motion to have an election.
“And we will keep doing that again and again.”
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He added: “As for other parliamentary business, we’ll have to wait and see what that is, and we will react to it at that time.
“But the most important issue is to get Brexit done, and to have that general election.”
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said Labour needs an “explicit commitment” that a no-deal Brexit is ruled out before backing an election.
She told the Today programme: “The Labour party is definitely up for an election, but there are two things we need to know.
“One is what sort of extension the EU is going to give and as you say we won’t know until Monday.”
Abbott said they also want to hear from the prime minister that he will take no deal off the table.
“But be in no doubt, party members, and the party as a whole, is ready for and keen for an election,” she said.
Abbott said the “explicit commitment” ruling out no deal may mean further legislation in Parliament.
She also said offers from Johnson are “not worth the paper they’re written on”.
Abbott added: “The December day is a ludicrous day. We’ve not had a general election at Christmas for over a century, and there’s good reasons for that.”