Michael Dugher is the Labour MP for Barnsley East. In his diary for Total Politics he writes about being in Opposition, failing to get elected to the Defence Select Committee, "posh" curry houses and the Budget.

This was the week when I decided that being in Opposition is rubbish. In Government you can do things. In Opposition you can only, well, oppose.

My week started well enough. On Monday I took part in the debate on the Strategic Defence and Security Review. I had written an article on the Review for ‘Labour Uncut’ and intervened on Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, warning him, rather brilliantly I thought, of the dangers of major reductions in Army manning levels. I had such an impact on my Labour colleagues that I failed to get elected to the Defence Select Committee.

Tuesday was Budget Day. I knew that because I’d read all about the main Budget measures in that morning’s edition of The Guardian newspaper. I got into the House of Commons at 11.30, partly (like everyone else) to get a decent seat so I’d be seen on the telly and partly to boo Nick Clegg, who was taking Deputy Prime Minister’s Questions, though not bothering to answer any of them. George Osborne then spoke for nearly an hour (it felt longer). He talked passionately about poor people, though he’s clearly never met any of them. I gave a suitably angry quote to the Daily Mirror, which is read by my constituents, and then wrote an article for the Yorkshire Post, which is read by my local councillors.

The following day was the footy — England versus Slovenia. I had been invited, along with other MPs, to a bash at the Cinnamon Club, a posh curry house in Westminster. The hosts had put on some free drinks, but for reasons of ethics and propriety I decided not to accept their hospitality for more than about three hours.

Thursday I travelled up to the constituency. What you do in your constituency is the most rewarding part of being an MP. That evening was the Barnsley College Excellence Awards — a fantastic showcase of young talent in Barnsley. On Friday morning I was privileged to be invited to Springwell Community School for their annual day of celebration for many of the most vulnerable pupils within Barnsley. The staff there do such a brilliant job.

You may not be able to influence government policy or stop the Budget from the Opposition benches, but you can still do a lot of good in your constituency. And that makes it all worthwhile.