Don't agree with this.
I think the way politics was practised in Lambeth from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s left a lot to be desired. And I am not sure it did get the job done. Stuff like the provision of social housing was largely done by the LCC then the GLC. I heard many tennants moaning how things had gone down the pan since Lambeth took over when I was involved in the Weir Estate/Clapham Park Estate area back in the 90s.
I guess if you considered using Urban 75 as a component of a range of democratic consultancy that is fine. But I do feel that it is not necessary or productive to be offensive.
Certain people here get off on being profuse with profanities or offensiveness. Who cares really; most people grow out of it and most also aren't really offended by it; it's mainly just tiresome attention seeking.
I don't think it's the main reason people with public roles avoid discussion boards though. I think it's more to with the fact that they are there representing their real selves and in many cases organisations whose party lines they have to be careful to stay within. So they can't always say exactly what they want and they also open themselves to accusations that could have significant consequences in their personal or professional lives, regardless of whether they are true or not.
On the other hand those they are "debating" with can hide behind anonymity and are free to say all sorts of things (and be accused of things) with most likely zero consequence to them.
Add to that a partisan management of the boards and it's no surprise most local politicians stay well clear.
I do think the structure of an internet forum is a good one for having discussions, though. Unlike real-life debates people can't bluff with selective facts because google is always at the ready, and everything is recorded so people can't pretend they have or haven't said something. Plus, it's accessible to many people and discussions can be spread over time rather than requiring folk to show up at certain locations and times in order to participate.
If there was a way to have some kind of discussion board for local issues, perhaps with a requirement for people to use their real identities, and with a suitably carefully structured moderation system, then I think that could be a very good way to give folk a way of properly questioning and engaging with those who are supposed to represent them. Whether or not people were allowed to use swearwords would be a minor issue.
I don't know if it would be possible to construct such a thing. Urban75 isn't it, anyway.
