Bristol's Townend takes the stage with PM Gordon
The Prime Minister said Labour was a combination of "youth and fresh ideas paired with maturity and experience" as he was quizzed by party members on various topics.
He was flanked by Labour's newest prospective candidates, including Mr Townend who is fighting to take over from Bristol North West's retiring Labour MP Doug Naysmith.
Mr Townend said: "It was great to be on stage with Gordon. It's good to see the party unity and how everyone is getting stuck in. Fighting the election will certainly be a challenge, but we have to step up to that and show our positive vision for the future.
"We have got a great team out on the ground in Bristol North West and we are fighting hard. The most important thing is that we keep speaking to people."
During the hour-long session at the Brighton conference the Prime Minister claimed Labour would win many seats at the next election that people would not expect them to.
But speaking to a half- empty conference hall, he warned: "We are being tested.
"Not just us as individuals, not just our party, not just our Government. What is being tested is our philosophy.
"Because we believe that it's right to intervene, and to take action, and to never walk by on the other side when things are wrong."
Meanwhile, ahead of his speech today on climate change Environment Secretary Ed Miliband said the Severn Estuary had "enormous potential" as an energy source.
He insisted, however, the government was still weighing up the costs and benefits of the barrage, and would not make an announcement until next year.
"I think the Severn has enormous potential," he said.
"I have visited the area where the barrage might be and seen for myself the potential tidal resources.
"It's a classic example of a place where there is potential but also local environmental concerns. That's what we are weighing up and we will make a decision in the next year."
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